Green happy (Sargochromis codringtonii)

Scientific name: Sargochromis codringtonii Boulenger, 1908

The Green happy (Sargochromis codringtonii) is a freshwater fish of the family Cichlidae. Native range: Africa, Okovango River system, upper and middle Zambezi River system, Kafue River (Angola, Namibia, Botswana, Zambia and Zimbabwe).

Biology

Found in shallow fringes in heavily vegetated areas but prefers deep, quiet water, slow-flowing channels and floodplain lagoons. Feeds on Nymphaea seeds, water insects, mollusks and fish material (scales of large cichlids). A female mouthbrooder, breeds in summer, probably spawning twice in the season. Males mature at 15 cm, females at 12.5-15.0 cm. Used as a snail control agent.

Source: FishBase, licensed CC BY-NC 4.0.

Species facts

Scientific name: Sargochromis codringtonii
Family: Cichlidae (Cichlids)
Order: Perciformes (Perch-like fish)
Class: Actinopterygii (Ray-finned fishes)
Maximum length: 39.0
Environment: Freshwater; demersal
Climate: Tropical
Distribution: Africa: Okovango River system, upper and middle Zambezi River system, Kafue River (Angola, Namibia, Botswana, Zambia and Zimbabwe).
Conservation status (IUCN): Least Concern (LC)
Threat to humans: Harmless
Uses: Fisheries: commercial; gamefish: yes
Resilience: Medium, minimum population doubling time 1.4 - 4.4 years (K=0.80; tm=1-2; tmax=7; Fec=850)

Sources

Taxonomy, distribution and biology data: FishBase (Froese, R. and D. Pauly, eds.), licensed CC BY-NC 4.0.

Last updated 27 September 2026