Dull. plain. grey, ugly. And always hiding. Aggressive with each other. constantly fighting, and damaging their fins, and bodies.
Not your ideal community fish! This description could be said to be true of many cichlids, and is soon found to be unjustified in most cases. This is one of those cases.
The dull, grey fish that is always hiding, is frequently a fish that is highly stressed. either by poor or incorrect water conditions, or bad tempered tankmates.
Cichlid aggression is often the result of territorial disputes, as mature males will fight to defend their chosen space. Consequently, the aquarist should ensure that he provides enough space for each fish to establish its own territory which doesn't overlap that of its neighbours. This is simply good practice in fishkeeping.
As far as the accusation of ugly is concerned, the old saying that "Beauty is in the eye of the beholder" springs to mind. Whilst not brightly coloured, S. irvinei has a subtle charm. and in common with the other members of the genus. it makes up for lack of colour with its character. Generally the body is greyish brown, with a darker area running from under the eye to the corner of the mouth. The dorsal has a lighter edge, and a dark spot in line with the back of the anal fin. The anal fin is often black. In both sexes the lower lip is blue, hence the common name. Males are larger than females, with a bigger head, and lose the black spot in the dorsal fin when dominant.
S. irvinei can be a community fish, but the community must be carefully selected. It would not be wise to keep them with your guppies or neon's, this is a 6" fish.
However, they will live happily alongside, (or should that be under?), for example, a selection of larger barbs and African tetras, in a planted aquarium.
The reason for saying under is that this is a bottom dwelling cichlid, preferring to live amongst rocks and caves at the base of the tank. It has evolved in fast flowing rivers. and developed to suit that environment. The swim- bladder is non-functional. which helps the fish to remain on the bottom, and means that swimming up into mid-water is an arduous task.
It is an omnivorous species. which feeds on aufwuchs in the wild, using its underslung mouth to graze over rocks and stones. In captivity, it will accept any live, frozen or dry foods, flakes or pellets.
S. Irvinei is from West Africa. specifically the Volta River in Ghana. It is the only species of Steatocranus to be found outside the Zaire Basin.
A pair will live and breed in a 3 ft. tank, in our local tapwater, (hard and slightly alkaline).
Their aquarium should be furnished to suit their requirements for a cave dwelling habitat. A fine gravel or sandy substrate allows them to excavate, enlarging areas under rocks, which must be securely placed in the tank, to prevent them from falling and damaging the fish, or the tank glass.
S. irvinei when ready to spawn, will signify this by becoming darker, eventually velvety black, with the cream edge to the dorsal fin very apparent. The male will now tolerate the female in his territory, and eventually into his cave. He now becomes very aggressive towards any other intruder chasing and biting the unwary.
The eggs are laid on the wall and roof of the cave, being cared for by both parents, with the female doing the bulk of the work, keeping them free of any particles that settle on them. and generally maintaining them.
The fry hatch after 5 or 6 days, and are free swimming about 5 days later.
They are allowed to investigate the immediate surroundings of their cave, but any that wonder too far are retrieved by the female.
They can be fed on brineshrimp nauphli, sifted Daphnia, Cyclops, and fine flake food. As they grow, the young are herded in a shoal about the tank by both parents.
When they are about 1" long, the young should be rehoused, as they will start to fight for territories of their own.
Whilst not the most colourful of cichlid species, the Blue Lipped Blockhead has much to recommend it from an interest viewpoint.