SCIENTIFIC NAME: Steatocranus casuarius

COMMON NAME: Buffalo head, Lionhead, Blockhead

ORIGIN: Africa

FAMILY: Cichlidae

SPECIES TYPE: Steatocranus (Buffalo head).

MAXIMUM SIZE: 4-5 Inches.

LIFE SPAN: 6-8 Years.

HABITAT: Lower and central Zaire. (Congo River) They are found in the rocky rapid flowing waters.

DIET: Omnivore. Will eats a wide range of live foods in the wild. They will accept flakes, sticks, live, frozen or freeze dried mysis shrimp, brine shrimp and blood worms.

TEMP: 74-82 F

PH: 6-8 Neutral to slightly alkaline medium hard water 15-18 dgh.

TEMPERAMENT: Mildly aggressive. Will become more aggressive when breeding.

TANK SIZE: Minimum 29 gallon tank, preferably 40 gallon or more.

TANK REGION: Bottom.

FILTRATION AND SETUP: Standard mechanical, canister and sponge filters all are acceptable. They prefer rapid moving water so a powerhead is suggested.

COLORATION: They are a tannish color with 6 to 7 grayish black vertical strips. They normally have blueish colored eyes. Males have a pronounced hump on their forehead.

BREEDING: Cave spawner. The brood is carefully watched and cared for by the female. The male guards the territory. Females lay between 20-60 eggs on average but can lay up to 150. The eggs hatch in 4-6 days and become free swimming in about 7 days after hatching. Aggression increase during this time from mild to highly aggressive. Pairs bond for life



picture is of juvenile