Steatocranus sp. 'Red Eye'

[bassic]

Hello everyone,

I recently a group of these guys. They're pretty cute and are very active. I wanted to post on here to pick your brains on experience(s) you've had with them. This will be my first time keeping them. I currently have Steatocranus casuarius and gibbiceps and of course, these guys. Each species is unique in appearance.

The one thing I've noticed with the Red Eye was that some are significantly darker in colour then others. Does this have any meaning as far as sexual differences? I also read in Anton's book that males have a more elongated dorsal coming to a point (similar to casuarius); however, I have not noticed that with these...possibly because they're still juveniles.

Anyway, any advice/information you can provide would be extremely appreciated. I'll post photos when I can. They are still acclimating to their conditions so I wanted to wait till they look their best before posting.

Thanks for the time,
-duc.

 

[tjudy]

Cool fish. How large are they? My experience has been that color differences in Steatocranus, when they are yound, is mood dependent. As they mature the of the species you have stay darker than females, and will not show bars unless they are stresed. Females will usually show bars. All young will usually show bars.

 

[Nebraska_cichlids]

I just received a shipment of 12 juvenile, wild-caught S. sp. Red Eye from Dave Schumacher. Great-looking fish! I hope to get a few pairs out of the group and will sell off the rest. Like Bassic, I also keep gibbiceps and casuarius. It might take the Red Eye a while to grow out, but I hope to post an update soon.

 

[bassic]

I just received a shipment of 12 juvenile, wild-caught S. sp. Red Eye from Dave Schumacher. Great-looking fish! I hope to get a few pairs out of the group and will sell off the rest. Like Bassic, I also keep gibbiceps and casuarius. It might take the Red Eye a while to grow out, but I hope to post an update soon.

I got mine from David also! Everyone's still doing well and eating. I have not noticed any pair bonding behaviour yet, although two of them are clearly getting dominant. Each one is on opposite ends of the tank. All the others just kinda hang out and when any gets too close to their territory, they chase them off.

To answer your question Ted, they are still pretty small. I would guestimate, they are 2 - 2.5 inches. Some are still showing darker colours then others. The red eye intensity isn't as strong as what I have seen in literature...again, possibly because they are juveniles.

Thanks for the time,
-duc.