AFRICAN CICHLIDS.
Order Perciformes
Family Cichlidae
Subfamily Pseudocrenilabrinae
Genus Steatocranus.
Peaceful fish that do not damage aquatic plants. The fish are very similar to each other, especially at the fry stage. Despite their apparent sluggishness, these fish are exceptionally fast and agile. Furthermore, thanks to their natural curiosity, they know every nook and cave in the aquarium perfectly. Therefore, catching them in the aquarium without removing all hiding spots is very difficult.
In aquarium conditions, some male specimens, even after several generations of captive breeding, grow larger than in nature, reaching up to 14-15 cm. They readily eat any aquarium foods, preferably of animal origin, although they do not mind nibbling on a tender aquatic plant leaf. The Lionhead Cichlid (Steatocranus casuarius) is the most common among them.
— Steatocranus casuarius [Poll, 1939] — African Blockhead Cichlid, Buffalo Head Cichlid, Lionhead Cichlid, Rapids Cichlid. Synonym: Steatocranus elongatus. Lower and middle stretches of the Congo River, preferring to stay in areas with strong currents. Males up to 12 cm, females 8 cm.
The coloration of adult fish is intense, dominated by a lilac color with deep purple reflections mixed with yellow, light green, and brown, with occasionally appearing spots. The body and fins are gray-brown with a purple-green tint. The gill cover and fin edges are blue. A light scale border forms a reticulated pattern on the body. Dark transverse stripes sometimes appear on the flanks.
Males are larger than females, brighter colored, with a more developed fatty growth on the head and elongated, pointed unpaired fins. Fry are gray-brown with marbled patterns and contrasting transverse stripes; their sex can be determined at 4 months. Due to their characteristic fatty cushion, they are popular among hobbyists, although their coloration and temperament leave something to be desired.
Despite their apparent sluggishness, these fish are exceptionally fast and agile. The strong and powerful body of the fish and their large mouth allow them to exist without much risk in almost any cichlid community. Furthermore, thanks to their natural curiosity, they know every nook and cave in the aquarium perfectly. Therefore, catching them in the aquarium without removing all hiding spots is very difficult.
Even a relatively small aquarium housing a dozen of these fish will almost always look empty, with rare exceptions when they come out to feed or settle disputes between males—and even then, they try to do so out of sight. They swim in a hopping manner, fluttering from one place to another. They lie on the bottom in a characteristic pose: the rear part rests on the tail base, while the front part of the body is elevated on the pectoral fins.
The aquarium should not be high. Providing adequate bottom surface area with plenty of hiding spots is more important. They are peaceful toward inhabitants of the upper water layers, but aggressive toward bottom-dwelling fish, defending the territory around their shelter from them. Under normal maintenance conditions, in 7-8 months they will turn into adult fish and establish complex hierarchical relationships in the aquarium. Long before this, ensure a sufficient number of hiding spots. It is best if there are more of them than fish in the aquarium.
By this time, the dominant male will become clearly identifiable. He is much larger than his peers, and the fatty growth on his head is much more impressive. Dominance also exists among females, but it is much less pronounced. When the leader is removed from the aquarium, the history repeats with the next strongest male. A pair forms spontaneously from young fish, chooses a section of the aquarium with an obligatory set of cave-type shelters, and guards it against intruders.
These cichlids become quite pugnacious during spawning; they require a space of about 0.25 dm² around their dwelling. They aggressively chase and bite stranger fish. Sometimes the fish can be overly timid. The fish do not eat plants and do not dig up the substrate, making it possible to keep the aquarium very green and decorative. They readily eat any aquarium foods, preferably of animal origin, although they do not mind nibbling on a tender aquatic plant leaf.
Animal diet (70%) and plant diet (30%), they also eat commercial combined foods. Very voracious, which is quite understandable due to high energy expenditure. They should not be fed tubifex worms, which can be fatal to them. Slightly alkaline and hard water suits them. They cannot tolerate acidic and soft water. They are very sensitive to oxygen deficiency, increasing concentrations of nitrogen compounds, and “old water”.
They mature at 10-18 months. By this time, the heads of males are adorned with a fatty growth—a bump. The larger the male and the higher his social status, the larger the growth. Females also have this decoration, but it is significantly smaller. A pair forms spontaneously from a group of 6-10 young fish. Once formed, the pair is very strong; pairing with someone else will no longer be possible.
It is very important that the aquarium has a sufficiently large hiding spot, as the entire process will take place inside it. The male guards the territory around the clutch, while the female tends to the eggs. Interestingly, if the pair starts spawning again while raising a previous brood, they will guard the first brood as well. dH 5-15°; pH 6.7-7.8; T 23-28°C.
Identification: Lionhead Cichlid — Steatocranus casuarius.
— Steatocranus gibbiceps [Boulenger, 1899] — Cream-breasted Pygmy Cichlid. Congo River basin, Ghana. 9 cm, up to 15 cm in the aquarium. Fry have vertical black marks and a black spot at the base of the dorsal fin. Adult fish are black, with most fins also black. Females retain black spots on their backs, while males lose them as they mature. Males are larger, sometimes twice the size of females, with elongated dorsal and anal fins, and also have a bump on the head. Their lower fins are used as struts to support the body.
An aquarium with a large footprint and fine gravel as substrate. Rocks, tree roots, and coconut shells are used as decorations. At a length of 5-6 cm, they become aggressive toward each other. They need many caves in the lower part of the aquarium, preferably in different locations. They do not bother plants, which are best planted in individual pots. They have a high need for clean, oxygen-rich water; weekly water changes are mandatory. They will quickly rid the aquarium of snails.
They often form lifelong pairs and will expel any other fish from their territory. During spawning, they become more territorial. They use caves for spawning, so the aquarium should contain several caves and ceramic tubes. These fish are excellent parents. Females mostly care for the fry, while males patrol the territory. pH 6.0-7.5; T 25-27°C.
— Steatocranus irvinei [Trewavas, 1943] — Blue Lipped Blockhead, Irvinei Cichlid. Ghana, Volta River. Male 16 cm, female 11 cm. General coloration is gray, with the lower lip blue in both sexes. The upper lip is longer than the lower. Males are larger and have a hump on the head. During spawning, males become blue-black-white, with a white edge on the dorsal fin. Bottom-dwelling fish, occupying the lower water horizon, becoming territorial during spawning.
An aquarium with a large bottom area covered with pebbles, stacked slate piles, and separate driftwood. It is a peaceful fish and can be kept with peaceful upper-layer fish. They do not touch plants; potted plants can be used. The water should be of high quality, very soft and slightly acidic, well-oxygenated, without traces of nitrates. They love strong water currents.
Their diet includes live and frozen foods, algae, flakes, and pellets. Pairs are formed for life. They spawn in caves or dig burrows under rocks. Females tend to the clutch, while males guard the territory. Fry grow quickly, reaching 8 cm in 4 months! dH up to 20°; pH 6.5-7.5; T 24-27°C.
— Steatocranus tinanti [Poll, 1939] — Slender Lion Head Cichlid. Synonym: Gobiochromis, Leptotilapia tinanti. Lower Congo River basin. 7-12 cm in the aquarium. Coloration is chestnut-grayish or beige-brown-gray with a purple sheen, with subtle 4-5 vertical broad stripes on the upper body and two narrower longitudinal stripes darker than the base color. These stripes produce a faint checkered overall effect.
Stripes may appear or disappear depending on the fish’s mood. Vertical stripes are less noticeable in females. Males are grayish-blue, possessing a larger fatty growth on the head than females. Females are smaller, paler, with dorsal and anal fin tips less pointed than in males. Males are larger with longer, extended fins. Fry are colored like adult fish.
Peaceful, but should not be combined with just any other cichlids. These fish are not aggressive toward other species except in the immediate vicinity of their shelter. They form fairly stable pairs. They should be kept in pairs, or in a group in a large aquarium. An aquarium with rock piles and driftwood arranged into caves; pots and piping sections can be used, but make sure they are securely anchored, otherwise they might collapse.
Large rocks stacked on top of each other are preferred because S. tinanti loves to rest on top of rocks from where it can monitor its territory. Substrate of sand or fine gravel, as the fish dig extensively, creating a network of caves and tunnels beneath the decor. Plastic pipes and flower pots can be buried in the substrate, making them feel right at home. They eat various aquatic plants, so aquarium decor should consist of rocks, driftwood, and plastic plants.
Water should be oxygen-rich with a moderate current along the length of the aquarium; strong water movement will cause them to seek the least turbulent spot and swim very little. Both soft and hard, slightly acidic water suits them. Aeration, filtration, and weekly water changes are necessary. Adult fish readily eat all kinds of live foods, chopped earthworms, live and frozen bloodworms and tubifex, various prepared foods (beef heart, mussels), and a small amount of flakes or soaked pellets.
They mature at 11-13 months. Pairs occupy a small area with the shelter entrance at its center; the male guards a territory of about 30 cm. The male will either choose existing caves with small entrances or dig his own burrows under decor placed on the bottom. In a small tank, the male can be very aggressive toward the female and may even kill her. Parents guard the clutch and fry. pH 6.5-7.5; dH up to 12°; T 25-29°C.
Genus Teleogramma, Genus Thoracochromis, Genus Thysochromis.
Sarotherodon galilaeus, linnellii, lohbergeri, melanotheron. 
