Steatocranus Casuarius
by 'Anonymous'
First published in the newsletter of the Hamilton and District Aquarium Society, December
2002
Aquarticles
One of the interesting fishes to come from the African continent is the "dwarf"
cichlid, Steatocranus casuarius. The fish experts cannot seem to get together on
a common name of this little beauty. Sterba, in his book, refers to it as the Blockhead,
while Axelrod, in 'Exotic Tropical Fish' refers to it as the Lionhead. Previously in
another article, Dr. Axelrod called it the African Buffalohead. This is what the fish is
usually called by aquarists in our area. The name is derived from the pronounced bump on
the forehead of the male; this bump increases in size with the age of the fish.
The fish's natural habitat is the fast moving waters of the lower and middle regions of
the Congo River. The elongated, relatively low and compressed body identifies this fish as
a bottom-dwelling cichlid. Colouration is brown-black to deep olive-grey. The eyes are
iridescent green. The interesting antics of both sexes and the strange appearance of the
males make up for their drab appearance.
I had an opportunity to first see this little giant when a shipment of them came into a
local shop. Taken by their appearance, I purchased five young ones in the hope of
eventually getting a breeding pair. In my opinion this is the best method, although a bit
expensive, of obtaining a pair of any cichlid for spawning purposes. Let the fish pick
spouses themselves and you eliminate many of the problems associated with cichlid
breeding.
My five small charges were taken home and lovingly put into a freshly prepared ten
gallon tank. Filtration was accomplished with a Douglas Water Polisher. This inside bottom
filter, because of its construction, protects fry from being drawn inside and harmed. Tank
decorations included bottom gravel and a formation of rocks at the back. Watersprite and
Corkscrew Val, which the inhabitants shortly uprooted, completed the remainder of the
decor.
Water conditions were no problem. We just used good old Waterdown well water warmed to
80F. This temperature was maintained with a heater since Buffaloheads like warmth.
After about six weeks of eating us out of house and home it became apparent that two of
the little beasts were preparing to spawn. The other two fish (one had died) were removed
for their own protection and the lovers were given the run of the tank.
The actual egg laying was not observed since the pair had dug a network of caves behind
the rocks and the eggs were laid there. By and by, at their regular feeding time, the
parents led out their brood for their first meal. The fry took frozen foods right from the
start, the parents helping by masticating the food for them. A rough count showed 40 or 50
fry - not bad for a first spawning.
The parents are excellent with the babies even though the youngsters have more than
reached the stage at which they no longer require adult care. We make regular weekly water
changes of 25% in order to keep nitrogenous wastes at a minimum and allow for growth.
We would certainly not hesitate to recommend this cichlid to any aquarist; you are sure
to enjoy their antics and spawning habits.
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