Scientific Name
Serranochromis macrocephalus

Common Name
Purpleface largemouth

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 (Ref. 7248). Also caught with drawnets.

Classification

Classified By

Boulenger, 1899

Class

Ray-finned fishes (Actinopterygii)

Order

Perch-like fish (Perciformes)

Family

Cichlids (Cichlidae)

Distribution

Region

Africa

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).

Range

11°S - 21°S

Environment

Climate

Tropical

Water Temperature From

Unknown °C

Water Temperature To

Unknown °C

Depth From - meters

Unknown m

Depth To - meters

Unknown m

Zone

demersal

Environment

Freshwater; demersal

Trophic Level

4.16 s.e. 0.71 Based on food items.

Occurs in Marine / Salt water

False

Occurs in Brackish water

False

Occurs in Fresh Water

True

Occurs on Reefs

False

Is kept in Aquariums

False

Physical Size and Genetics

Maximum Length

35.0 cm

Common Length

Unknown cm

Phylogenetic Diversity Index

PD50 = 0.5010 many relatives (e.g. carps) 0.5 - 2.0 few relatives (e.g. lungfishes)

Human Uses and Population

Human Uses

Fisheries: commercial; gamefish: yes

Vulnerability

Low vulnerability (22 of 100)

Resilience

Medium, minimum population doubling time 1.4 - 4.4 years (tm=2; tmax=5.5)

Threat To Humans

Harmless

IUCN Red List Status

Least Concern (LC)