Slender buffalohead cichlid
Steatocranus tinanti
Also known as Tinanti, Slender lionhead, Yellow belly cichlid, Slender buffalo head cichlid, Slender buffalo head
FreshwaterFish
Care at a glance
- Temperature
- 75–82°F
- 24–28°C
- pH
- 6.0–7.5
- Adult size
- 5.1 in
- 13 cm
- Minimum tank
- 24 gal
- 90 L
- Temperament
- Mostly peaceful
- Social behavior
- Solitary
- Tankmates
- With caution
- Swim level
- Bottom
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Breeding
- Cave spawner · Easy
- Rarity
- Rare
- Family
- Cichlidae
- Origin
- Fast flowing rapids of the lower Congo River in Central Africa.
Overview
The slender buffalohead cichlid is a bottom-dwelling river cichlid for a rocky tank with strong flow. It is easy to keep and easy to breed.
Did you know
Life in river rapids has left the slender buffalohead with so little swim bladder that it hops and rests on the bottom. It does not hover in open water.
Caring for the slender buffalohead cichlid
Keep a pair of slender buffalohead cichlids in at least 24 gal (90 L). Build the tank with rocks and caves, and give it good water movement to mimic the rapids.
The water can run from soft to neutral, at 75 to 82°F (24 to 28°C) and a pH of 6.0 to 7.5. Feed sinking foods, including pellets, frozen bloodworms and brine shrimp.
It is peaceful despite its tough look and turns territorial only around its cave. Choose its tank mates with some care.
The slender buffalohead is a cave spawner, and the pair guards the eggs and fry inside a crevice. Breeding it is easy.
Good to know
The slender buffalohead cichlid, Steatocranus tinanti, is the slimmest member of the buffalohead group. These are river cichlids built for life in strong current. Its heavy build keeps it near the bottom, where rocks break the flow.
In the wild
The slender buffalohead lives in the turbulent rapids of the lower Congo River in Central Africa. It shelters in cracks and digs pits under stones and wood.
Common questions
What size tank does a slender buffalohead cichlid need?
A slender buffalohead cichlid needs at least 24 gal (90 L). It spends most of its time in the bottom.
What temperature and pH does a slender buffalohead cichlid need?
A slender buffalohead cichlid is comfortable at 75–82°F (24–28°C) with a pH of 6.0–7.5.
What does a slender buffalohead cichlid eat?
A slender buffalohead cichlid eats sinking foods, such as pellets, frozen bloodworms and brine shrimp.
How big does a slender buffalohead cichlid get?
An adult slender buffalohead cichlid reaches about 5.1 in (13 cm).
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