The fish in this genus all have relatively reduced swim bladder function. The name Steatocranus refers to the fatty deposit on the forehead of most species.
Young female Steatocranus casuarius
Two species, S. casuarius (also known as the lionhead or 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.
Species
Young male Steatocranus bleheri
There are currently eight recognized species in this genus,[1][5] but S. irvinei belongs elsewhere;[2] in 2019 it was proposed to move it to its own genus, Paragobiocichla.[6]
^ abDunz, A.R.; Schliewen, U.K. (2013). "Molecular phylogeny and revised classification of the haplotilapiine cichlid fishes formerly referred to as "Tilapia"". Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution. 68 (1): 64–80. Bibcode:2013MolPE..68...64D. doi:10.1016/j.ympev.2013.03.015. PMID23542002.
^Zamba, A.I.; J.D. Weiss; V. Mamonekene; U.K. Schliewen; E.J.W.M.N. Vreven (2022). "Steatocranus masalamasoso, a new species of lionhead cichlid from the Léfini River basin, Congo basin, Africa (Teleostei: Cichlidae)". Ichthyological Exploration of Freshwaters. in press. doi:10.23788/IEF-1130.
^Weiss, J.D.; F.D.B. Schedel; A.I. Zamba; E.J.W.M.N. Vreven; U.K. Schliewen (2019). "Paragobiocichla, a new genus name for Gobiochromis irvinei Trewavas, 1943 (Teleostei, Cichlidae)". Spixiana. 42 (1): 133–139.
