Actinopteri (ray-finned fishes) >
Cichliformes (Cichlids, convict blennies) >
Cichlidae (Cichlids) > Pseudocrenilabrinae
Etymology: Serranochromis: Latin, serra = saw + Greek, chromis = a fish, perhaps a perch (Ref. 45335).
More on author: Boulenger.
Environment: milieu / climate zone / depth range / distribution range
Ecology
Freshwater; demersal. Tropical
Africa: Kasai system (middle Congo River basin) in Angola (Ref. 11970, 120641), upper Lualaba in Democratic Republic of the Congo (Ref. 97233) and the Mweru-Bangweulu area (Ref. 95585, 97233) (upper Congo River basin). Also known from the Okavango delta (Ref. 27501), Caprivi Strip (Ref. 37065), Cunene River (Ref. 13332, 120641), upper and middle Zambezi (Lake Kariba, Kafue and Luangwa systems) (Ref. 94654, 97235). Introduced into localities in Zimbabwe (Ref. 94654), into the Sabi River (Ref. 13721) and into Botswana, South Africa and Swaziland (Ref. 6465).
Size / Weight / Age
Maturity: Lm ? range ? - ? cm
Max length : 39.6 cm SL male/unsexed; (Ref. 5693)
Lives in well-vegetated quiet waters or near submerged trees or rocks in the lee of the river’s main current, lunging out to capture prey (Ref. 5614). Juveniles occur mainly in lagoons and secondary channels (Ref. 7248, 94654), while adults prefer deep main channels and permanent lagoons (Ref. 7248). Large specimens patrol open water of rivers and lakes, never very far from shore (Ref. 246). Predator on fish but also feeds on aquatic and terrestrial insects, shrimps and small crabs (Ref. 13337). Adults often feed on squeakers (Ref. 7248, 13337, 94654). Mouthbrooder (Ref. 246, 13337, 13721) and multiple spawner (Ref. 13337). Constructs shallow nest on sandy or muddy substrate in shallow water (Ref. 13337). Reported to have adverse impact on native fish species in Zimbabwe (Ref. 94654).
Life cycle and mating behavior
Maturity | Reproduction | Spawning | Eggs | Fecundity | Larvae
Incubates eggs in the mouth. Constructs a shallow concave nest on a sandy or muddy substrate in fairly shallow water.
Snoeks, J. and M. Hanssens, 2004. Identification guidelines to other non-mbuna. p.266-310. In Snoeks, J. (ed.) The cichlid diversity of Lake Malawi/Nyasa/Niassa: identification, distribution and taxonomy. Cichlid Press, El Paso, USA, 360p. (Ref. 55954)
IUCN Red List Status (Ref. 125652)
Threat to humans
Harmless
Human uses
Fisheries: minor commercial; aquarium: commercial
Tools
Special reports
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Internet sources
Estimates based on models
Phylogenetic diversity index (Ref.
82804): PD
50 = 0.5005 [Uniqueness, from 0.5 = low to 2.0 = high].
Bayesian length-weight: a=0.01445 (0.00696 - 0.03003), b=3.00 (2.83 - 3.17), in cm total length, based on LWR estimates for this species & (Sub)family-body (Ref.
93245).
Trophic level (Ref.
69278): 4.1 ±0.7 se; based on size and trophs of closest relatives
Resilience (Ref.
120179): Medium, minimum population doubling time 1.4 - 4.4 years (Preliminary K or Fecundity.).
Fishing Vulnerability (Ref.
59153): Moderate vulnerability (38 of 100).
