Steatocranus
Encyclopedia
Steatocranus is a small genus
of rheophilic
cichlid
fish. Most are endemic to the Congo River Basin in DR Congo/Congo Brazzaville, although one species
, S. irvinei, is restricted to the Volta River
in Ghana
.
The genus currently includes 9 formally described species, and at least 10 undescribed species, all of which have relatively reduced swim bladder function. The name Steatocranus refers to the fatty deposit on the forehead of most species.
Two species, S. casuarius (also known as the Buffalohead Cichlid) and S. tinanti are relatively common in the aquarium
trade.
As for other cichlids brood care is highly developed and both sexes are involved in raising the young. All Steatocranus species are secretive cave spawners and form monogamous pairs for breeding. The female is more actively involved in fry raising, while the male is primarily concerned with territorial defence.
Genus
In biology, a genus is a low-level taxonomic rank used in the biological classification of living and fossil organisms, which is an example of definition by genus and differentia...
of rheophilic
Rheophile
A rheophile is an organism that prefers to live in fast moving water.-Insects:*Many aquatic insects living in riffles require current to survive.*Epeorus sylvicola, a rheophilic mayfly species .-Fish:...
cichlid
Cichlid
Cichlids are fishes from the family Cichlidae in the order Perciformes. Cichlids are members of a group known as the Labroidei along with the wrasses , damselfish , and surfperches . This family is both large and diverse. At least 1,300 species have been scientifically described, making it one of...
fish. Most are endemic to the Congo River Basin in DR Congo/Congo Brazzaville, although one species
Species
In biology, a species is one of the basic units of biological classification and a taxonomic rank. A species is often defined as a group of organisms capable of interbreeding and producing fertile offspring. While in many cases this definition is adequate, more precise or differing measures are...
, S. irvinei, is restricted to the Volta River
Volta River
The Volta is a river in western Africa that drains into the Gulf of Guinea. It has three main tributaries—the Black Volta, White Volta and Red Volta...
in Ghana
Ghana
Ghana , officially the Republic of Ghana, is a country located in West Africa. It is bordered by Côte d'Ivoire to the west, Burkina Faso to the north, Togo to the east, and the Gulf of Guinea to the south...
.
The genus currently includes 9 formally described species, and at least 10 undescribed species, all of which have relatively reduced swim bladder function. The name Steatocranus refers to the fatty deposit on the forehead of most species.
Aquarium
An aquarium is a vivarium consisting of at least one transparent side in which water-dwelling plants or animals are kept. Fishkeepers use aquaria to keep fish, invertebrates, amphibians, marine mammals, turtles, and aquatic plants...
trade.
As for other cichlids brood care is highly developed and both sexes are involved in raising the young. All Steatocranus species are secretive cave spawners and form monogamous pairs for breeding. The female is more actively involved in fry raising, while the male is primarily concerned with territorial defence.
Species
- Steatocranus bleheri Meyer, 1993
- Steatocranus casuarius PollMax PollMax Fernand Leon Poll was a Belgian ichthyologist who specialised in Cichlidae.In the years 1946 and 1947 he organised an expedition to Lake Tanganyika....
, 1939 - Steatocranus gibbicepsSteatocranus gibbicepsSteatocranus gibbiceps is freshwater fish in the cichlid family.It is found in the Malebo Pool and lower parts of the Congo River in Africa.It grows to a length of 10 cm.-External links:* - Global Biodiversity Information Facility...
Boulenger, 1899 - Steatocranus glaber Roberts & Stewart, 1976
- Steatocranus irvinei (Trewavas, 1943)
- Steatocranus mpozoensis Roberts & Stewart, 1976
- Steatocranus rouxi (Pellegrin, 1928)
- Steatocranus tinanti (Poll, 1939)
- Steatocranus ubanguiensis Roberts & Stewart, 1976
External links
- Steatocranus -Integrated Taxonomic Information SystemIntegrated Taxonomic Information SystemThe Integrated Taxonomic Information System is a partnership designed to provide consistent and reliable information on the taxonomy of biological species. ITIS was originally formed in 1996 as an interagency group within the U.S...
- gc.ca