Slender buffalohead cichlid

Care at a glance

Overview

A pair fits in a tank of about 90 liters with rocks, caves and good water movement to mimic the rapids. Water can run from soft to neutral, 24 to 28 C and pH 6.0 to 7.5. It is peaceful despite its tough look and only turns territorial around its cave. Feed sinking foods including pellets, frozen bloodworm and brine shrimp.

In the wild

The slender buffalohead lives in the turbulent rapids of the lower Congo River. It has a reduced swim bladder and hops along the rocky bottom instead of swimming in open water. It shelters in cracks and digs pits under stones and wood.

Good to know

Steatocranus tinanti is the slimmest member of the buffalohead group, which are river cichlids built for life in strong current. It is a cave spawner where a pair guards eggs and fry inside a crevice. Its heavy build and small swim bladder keep it near the bottom where the flow is broken by rocks.

Did you know

Life in river rapids has left it with so little swim bladder that it hops and rests on the bottom rather than hovering in the water.

Related species

• 

  Blockhead Cichlid

  Steatocranus casuarius

  4.7 in (12 cm)25 gal (95 L)75–82°F (24–28°C)

• 

  Bandit cichlid

  Guianacara geayi

  5.1 in (13 cm)40 gal (150 L)75–82°F (24–28°C)

• 

  Black calvus

  Altolamprologus calvus

  5.1 in (13 cm)53 gal (200 L)75–81°F (24–27°C)

• 

  Dwarf pike cichlid

  Crenicichla regani

  4.7 in (12 cm)40 gal (150 L)75–82°F (24–28°C)

• 

  T-bar cichlid

  Cryptoheros sajica

  4.7 in (12 cm)40 gal (150 L)75–82°F (24–28°C)

• 

  Ellioti cichlid

  Thorichthys maculipinnis

  5.9 in (15 cm)53 gal (200 L)75–82°F (24–28°C)