Steatocrannus irvinei

[dogginfox]

I have what i beleive to be a pair of Steatocrannus irvinei I am planning on setting up a 30 or 40g tank just for them. can anyone tell me anything about them? i cant seem to find much more than that they are from the volta river and they have blue lips.

 

[Randall]

I have what i beleive to be a pair of Steatocrannus irvinei I am planning on setting up a 30 or 40g tank just for them. can anyone tell me anything about them? i cant seem to find much more than that they are from the volta river and they have blue lips.

Dear Dogginfox,

Well, you have a very special and rare fish there! Where, may I ask, did you get them?

Steatocranus ivinei is the only species of the genus not found in the Congo drainage. It is a Ghanaian endemic that is found in the Volta system. This is a rheophillic (current-loving) species that benefits from constant water replacement in the wild, so weekly partial water changes are a must! Water quality is very important.

This species grows fairly large (guesstimate: 6"), and males can be very rough on females, especially when breeding. For this reason, larger aquaria with many rock formations and hiding places are recommended. If you're going to set them up in a 40-gallon tank, I'd go with a 40 breeder...larger if you can do it. This species is a cave spawner.

Moderately soft to moderately hard tap water is fine (pH 7.0-7.5). A varied diet of frozen/freezedried shrimpy type stuff, insect larvae (bloodworms/glassworms) and some live blackworms should do it. Rich fatty foods should be avoided.

Good luck!

Randall Kohn

 

[dogginfox]

I got them through an auction at the november meeting of the Atlanta Area Aquarium Association(the one that you spoke at) I purchased 3 of them for $2 under the impression that they were African Blockheads.
Upon arrival at home the male had killed one of the females as there were 3 fish in about a liter of water. They are in with the rest of my africans in a 55g now. I am thinking of purchasing another 55 for them and some Syn. Eruptus. Thanks for all the info and the quick response.

 

[dogginfox]

here are a few pics for you

 

[Randall]

Steatocranus ivinei

Dear Dogginfox,

Holy cow! Your fish sure look like Steatocranus ivinei to me. I've only ever seen these fish once in my life, and they were only imported but once last year (2003). They retail, when they are scarcely available, for about $25-30 each.

Care for them well.

Good luck!

Randall Kohn

 

[dogginfox]

so would it be safe to assume that mine are F0?

 

[Randall]

Wild Steatocranus irvinei

so would it be safe to assume that mine are F0?

Dear Zach,

Yes, I'd say that your fish are probably wild caught. Steatocranus irvinei only was imported into the US starting in August 2003, and I've not heard of any successful spawnings as of yet.

Good luck with them.

All the best,

Randall Kohn

Correction:

Toyin Ojo advises that a hobbyist in Georgia has spawned Steatocranus irvinei from stock obtained some years ago, so your fish may be tank raised.

Thank you, Toyin. This is news to me.

RK

 

[dogginfox]

Randall,

Can you reccomend some dither type fish that may work with these fish in a riverine type setup?

 

[Randall]

Dither Fish for Steatocranus ivinei

Dear Zach,

Any of the larger (3+") Old or New World characins ought to do it.

Please note my correction above.

Thanks!

Randall Kohn

 

[tjudy]

I had irvinei six years ago. I got them from a friend in Colorado Springs. They come in occasionally.

 

[dogginfox]

would it be ok to house a pair of S. casuarius with the irvinei?

 

[Randall]

S. irvinei

would it be ok to house a pair of S. casuarius with the irvinei?

Dear Zach,

Well, in a 75-gallon tank, I guess you could try it and see how it goes. However, Steatocranus irvinei grow significantly larger than S. casuarius.

Good luck!

Randall Kohn

 

[Neil]

dogginfox,
I don't think that I ever gave you proper acknowledgement, so...

WELCOME TO THE FORUM

I am speaking from minimal experience with this fish, but I wouldn't house a rabid pitbull with my male. Geez, this guy cuts through fish like a knife through butter. The only thing I have been able to keep with him is upsidedown catfish. They are very durable. If you intend to house casuarius with them, I would suggest making sure that they are of a similar size and that you redecorate the tank to alter the territory that probably has been established. I am not specifically sure how bad they are with conspecifics, but I'ld bet your casuarius will thank you for giving them every edge they can get!

Good luck,
Neil