Purpleface largemouth (Serranochromis macrocephalus)

Scientific name: Serranochromis macrocephalus Boulenger, 1899

Purpleface largemouth (Serranochromis macrocephalus)

The Purpleface largemouth (Serranochromis macrocephalus) is a freshwater fish of the family Cichlidae.

Biology

Common in a broad range of habitats from mainstream margins to floodplain channels and lagoons. Preys on insects and small fish, including mormyrids and barbs, which are taken near the bottom. Breeds in spring and early summer at low water before the annual floods arrive. Relatively few eggs are laid and mouthbrooded. Matures after 1-2 years. Also caught with drawnets.

Source: FishBase, licensed CC BY-NC 4.0.

Species facts

Scientific name
Serranochromis macrocephalus
Family
Cichlidae (Cichlids)
Order
Perciformes (Perch-like fish)
Class
Actinopterygii (Ray-finned fishes)
Maximum length
35.0
Environment
Freshwater; demersal
Climate
Tropical
Distribution
Africa: Angola, Botswana, Namibia, Zambia, Zimbabwe and Democratic Republic of the Congo in the Cunene River system (Angola and Namibia); Okovango River and swamps; upper Zambezi system including Lake Cameia, Kafue River and Luangwa system; Luapula-Mweru, Lulua River and Angolan Kasai (upper and middle Congo River basin).
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 (tm=2; tmax=5.5)

Sources

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

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