Steatocranus casuarius – Lionhead Cichlid
Steatocranus casuarius can reach a length of about 12 centimeters. This species has a huge hump on its head. The body is blue to gray with a few lighter stripes. The males of this species grow larger than the females. The hump is also larger in the males. A similar species is the Steatocranus sp. aff. ubanguiensis.
Origin
Lower Congo River, Zaire, Central Africa.
The Aquarium
Steatocranus casuarius needs a spacious aquarium with many hiding places. A fine bottom is recommended; the preference goes to sand. The decoration materials must be well-fixed. Preferably even glued together. This species digs a lot, and this can prevent decoration material from falling on the fish.
In nature, this species occurs in fast-flowing rivers. It is, therefore, best to have a lot of current in the water. However, make sure that there are also places here and there where the current is much less. For example, you could put down flower pots and PVC pipes. These can then also serve as a breeding hole.
If plants are placed in the aquarium, sturdy plants such as anubias should be chosen.
Water parameters
Temperature: 24-27 degrees Celsius.
PH: 6.5-8
GH: 12-16
In nature, fish have to deal with fluctuating temperatures. Keeping fish at the minimum or maximum temperature for a long time is not always desirable and can shorten their average lifespan.
Diet
They are omnivores, and both live and frozen food, such as mosquito larvae, water fleas, mysis, and krill, can be given to them. Provide sufficient variety.
Character
Steatocranus casuarius can only be kept in a single pair in the aquarium. They are not demanding but can be quite aggressive and predatory. They can be kept together with schooling fish from the upper water layers or other robust cichlids. They swim in the lower layers of water.
This species forms pairs for life. It rarely happens that a fish takes a new partner after its previous one has died.
Breeding Steatocranus casuarius – Lionhead Cichlid
Breeding this species is not very difficult. If the fish is well cared for, they will start spawning on their own. The eggs are laid in a hole. In this, reasonably large orange-yellow eggs are laid. A nest can contain up to 150 eggs.
After 4 days, the eggs hatch, and 5 days later, the young ones swim freely around the cave. The young ones can be seen outside the cave for about a week after hatching.
The fry are fiercely guarded, and the parents continue to do so for a very long time. The fry can be fed with fine dust food or artemia nauplien.
Video
Author
Kevin – Coby
Copyright images
Foto 2: © Dr. David Midgley
Ben Lee – Amiidae.com
