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Buffalohead cichlid (Steatocranus irvinei) — Cichlidae

Buffalohead cichlid

Steatocranus irvinei
Family: Cichlidae

The Buffalohead cichlid (Steatocranus irvinei) is a fish of the family Cichlidae that grows up to 13 cm.

Length
13.4 cm
Diet
Omnivore
Behaviour
Small groups
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Rarely eaten

Description

Irvine's buffalohead cichlid is an African cichlid (Cichlidae) from West Africa. The species has an elongate body and, in adult males, a conspicuous fatty hump on the forehead. It inhabits fast-flowing river stretches with a rocky bottom and, owing to its reduced swim bladder, moves over the bottom in hops. It shelters in crevices among the stones and is a cave brooder that guards the young attentively. It grazes growth and snaps up small invertebrates. The species is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Buffalohead cichlid?

The Buffalohead cichlid is mainly brown and shows a plain pattern.

Where does the Buffalohead cichlid live?

The Buffalohead cichlid is mostly found around stony or rocky ground.

How big does the Buffalohead cichlid get?

The Buffalohead cichlid grows to a maximum of about 13 cm. On average the species is around 8 cm.

Is the Buffalohead cichlid dangerous to humans?

No, the Buffalohead cichlid is harmless to humans.

Is the Buffalohead cichlid edible?

The Buffalohead cichlid is rarely eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Irvines buffelkopcichlide sourced
English name
Buffalohead cichlid sourced
Scientific name
Steatocranus irvinei
Family
Cichlidae

Appearance

Max length (cm)
13.4 verified
Average length (cm)
8.0 sourced
Dominant colour
Brown inferred
Pattern
Plain inferred
Tail shape
Rounded inferred
Mouth position
Terminal inferred
Lips
Thick / fleshy inferred
Barbels
No sourced
Dorsal fins
One continuous inferred
Dorsal spines
Yes sourced

Habitat & distribution

Substrate
Stone or rock sourced
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Omnivore sourced
Social behaviour
Small groups inferred
Territorial
Yes inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
Yes inferred

For anglers

Edibility
Rarely eaten sourced
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless sourced

Status & sources

Sources
FishBase via GBIF (DwC-A), CC-BY-NC 4.0

Same genus Steatocranus

More from the family Cichlidae

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