Steatocranus irvinei Now Available!

[Randall]

Dear "Westies" Fans,

For the first time in who knows how long, Steatocranus irvinei, a true Ghanaian endemic, is now available through distributor Toyin Ojo. Toyin may be contacted through his web site at http://www.rehobothaquatics.com.

For further information and a photo, please refer to Linke & Staeck, page 181.

Thank you.

Randall Kohn

 

[Neil]

Randall,
Yes, I noticed several weeks ago that he had these available. I am really thinking about picking some up. Have you gotten any?
Neil

 

[Randall]

Toyin's Steatocranus irvinei

Hi Neil,

My local guy recently placed an order with Toyin that included a group of Steatocranus irvinei. I find them fascinating to watch. They're somewhat intolerant of conspecifics, so larger aquaria are recommended, and are so unusual that I can't take my eyes off them.

Both sexes exhibit a white distal (outermost) margin in the dorsal fin, a "tilapia spot" in the soft dorsal rays and bluish-white lips. They also shipped well and are of excellent quality.

Recently, I've been hounding Toyin to bring in Limbochromis robertsi. I understand that there's been a lot of rain in Ghana recently, so water levels are high, but he'll see what he can do. Let's keep our fingers crossed.

Thanks!

Randall Kohn

 

[Neil]

Hi back to you!

i will probably contact Toyin to see what he says. I might have to get another fish or 2 to mitigate shipping costs. He has a little old Gobiocichla that I have been kind of interested in also. Might have to try the "mungo" too, since I haven't had the pleasure yet.
Thanks for the hype of the irvnei. Sounds cool!

Recently, I've been hounding Toyin to bring in Limbochromis robertsi.

Why does that not suprise me!
Take care,
Neil

 

[tjudy]

I have a pair on order that will hopefully make it out next week. Toyin has also talked me into a barb as a dither fish. I do not know the exact species, but he describes something like a tinfoil barb that does not get more than about 3-4 inches. I have always thought tinfoils would be great dithers if they did not get as big.

I have kept irvinei before. They do get a bit rough on each other, but once they pair up they are almost inseperable. I have a pair in a 75 gallon tank choked with plants and driftwood. They pair was rarely less than 6 inches away from each other at any time. The physical feature that mesmerizes me is the blue lip. In dim light it literally glows. Hit it with a flash and it is just gray....

 

[tjudy]

Speaking of dithers... Toyin says that the best dithers he has are... believe it or not... upside-down catfish (Syno. nigriventris). I guess I should not be surprised. They form huge schools and pretty much move around constantly. He mentioned that he had several ivrinei beat teh snot out of eat other, so he put the whole group in a 100+ gallon tank with about 50 UD cats. He says that he has had no more problems with the cichlids pounding on each other after that.

Anyone here who can afford 50 UD cats for a pair of S. irvinei?.... lol

 

[Neil]

Ted,
I kind of figured that you would jump on this when you got wind of them. I'm not sure what I will do for dithers but I might try other Cichlids. We'll see what happens. Gotta be cheaper than 50 UD Catfish 8O .
Neil

 

[tjudy]

Assuming that the order comes through next week, I will be able to let you know about the barbs. They are not unreasonable, and will help fill a box. I use platies for dithers most of the time. I think that rougher species like the irvinei need something that can also be a target.

I am going to put the irvinei in a 40 gallon tank with a couple ancistrus and 3 of the barbs. I will also plant the driftwood.. lots of driftwood of course... with anubias and bolbitus. My experience with steatocranus has ben that they like hidden caves. The irvinei even more than the causarius I have had. I will bury a pot deep behind the driftwood. Hopefully they will pair up and surprise me with fry someday. My previous pair never did...