Ged Posted November 8, 2005 Share Posted November 8, 2005 Yesterday I (school) became the proud owner of some Steatocranus casuarius (Lionheads) courtesy of Baz. He gave me some background to the keeping them and what works for him but I am interested to hear other forum members experiences keeping them. I am interested in tank size, water parameters, aeration level, diet etc. Thanks Ged Edit - spellling Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ant Posted November 8, 2005 Share Posted November 8, 2005 When working at an aquarium shop we sold a lot of these guys. They prefer slightly acidic water conditions (like Pelvicachromis sp). A 3ft tank or even 2ft tank would suffice for a single pair. They don't like a diet too high in protein, we had fish come back with bloat on a few occasions. Thats about all I can help you with, i hope i've confirmed any info Baz has given you. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sarah Posted November 8, 2005 Share Posted November 8, 2005 i have kept these fish i personally found they were best kept on their own becuase they become very protective of their young and will bully any other fish in the tank as they see them as a threat to their young, the smallest tank i kept the pair in was a 2x18x18. cheers Sarah ps good luck with them a fav fish of mine Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BaZ Posted November 8, 2005 Share Posted November 8, 2005 My pair are in a 2x12x12 and they are doing fine. They get very agro when breeding though, and I find that is the best time to remove the previous spawn to a grow-out tank, otherwise they will be killed. Water-wise, they are doing well in Malawi-type water. They have proven easy to keep and breed, and are fascinating to watch as they dart about from rock to rock Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
anchar Posted November 8, 2005 Share Posted November 8, 2005 I echo BaZ's post...malawi conditions, a shell/pot for spawning and just some corner sponges for filters. I didn't add extra air/power heads....first time they bred the water was pH = 8.6 and kH = 8 (they were still in quarantine). My tinantis bred in the same tank within a few weeks of the lionheads. This tank was 4' x 14" x 18"and both groups used medium sized "turban" shells to spawn. Andrea Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ant Posted November 8, 2005 Share Posted November 8, 2005 Well there you go. I always thought they were strictly neutral-Acidic water fish and I have been proven wrong: http://www.fishbase.org/Summary/SpeciesSummary.php?id=8864 Seems they tolerate a wide ph range from 6-8. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John McCormick Posted November 8, 2005 Share Posted November 8, 2005 Hi Ged, I have seen them kept in with Tanganyikans and they were thriving, breeding like flies. The water was like liquid concrete, it was that hard and alkaline. I believe they like a bit extra aeration and water movement. Just a minor point I know but the correct spelling of the species is casuarius. Cheers, John. PS Any sign of that DVD you and your students were putting together for us. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ged Posted November 8, 2005 Author Share Posted November 8, 2005 Thanks everyone for the information and the correction on the spelling. I took it from the NSWCS website species list John I had forgotten about the DVD but I will chase up the teacher that was doing editing with her class. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rosco Posted November 9, 2005 Share Posted November 9, 2005 Hi all I am keeping them in Malawi African hardness and ph. I don't know however how to sex them I have 2 bigger ones ( around 7-8cm) and one tiny (in comparsion) (about 4-5cm). They don't seam to have grown much at all since I bought them at the Wollongong auction on impulse (what a change ). I assume the larger ones are males as they are forming little bumps on their heads. Other than that they are keeping a 2x18x18 cycled and are likely to be moved on if something does not happen soon . cheers rosco Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chester Posted November 9, 2005 Share Posted November 9, 2005 I have a pair of these fish. They are great fish and I am sure you will be happy with their unique look and way of getting around. They are very easy to breed but can become big sooks when they get picked on by other fish. They look mean but they are really whimps at heart who like to retreat back into their cave after they have stirred up some trouble. I keep them in water with a pH of around 7.8. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nooks Posted November 14, 2005 Share Posted November 14, 2005 I used to have a pair who bred regularly. Mine loved to dig and would build caves that always have two exits. I believe they are from river systems rather than lakes so enjoy a bit of current in the tank although not required. They don't have well developed swim bladders so normally stay along the bottom half of the tank. Mine didn't eat all that much so were a lot smaller than other's I've seen. I guess they need the food to sink down to their level before your other fish get it! Off topic: Does anyone have any spare males as mine died a while ago (apparently from starvation as he just never seemed to eat much)? Prefer close to Wahroonga... Please PM. All the best Ged, they are great fish with cool looks and personalities. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oakes Posted November 25, 2005 Share Posted November 25, 2005 it's said that these fish grow to over 16cm. Yet i've had two males now that are about half this size at over 2 years. Has anyone seen them at 16cm? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jonamato Posted November 27, 2005 Share Posted November 27, 2005 it's said that these fish grow to over 16cm. Yet i've had two males now that are about half this size at over 2 years. Has anyone seen them at 16cm? ← Hi all i have one that is easy 16cm+ ill post a pic soon. cheers jon Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ant Posted November 27, 2005 Share Posted November 27, 2005 16cm would be pretty large for a lion head I would think. Would love to see a pic. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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