Serranochromis angusticeps (Boulenger, 1907)
Thinface cichlid
Serranochromis angusticeps
photo by Mertens, P.

Family:  Cichlidae (Cichlids), subfamily: Pseudocrenilabrinae
Max. size:  41 cm SL (male/unsexed); max.weight: 2,500.0 g; max. reported age: 9 years
Environment:  demersal; freshwater,
Distribution:  Africa: Cunene River system (Angola and Namibia), Okavango River, upper Zambezi, and Kafue Rivers (Angola, Namibia, Botswana, Zambia, Zimbabwe)(Ref. 5693), and Luapula-Moeru (Congo River system)(Ref. 361, 11970, 41590, 42135, 45616) in Democratic Republic of the Congo and Zambia.
Diagnosis:  Description: moderately deep-bodied to deep-bodied; head large; snout long and protruding; mouth large; frontal profile concave; caudal fin slightly rounded to subtruncate (Ref. 52307). Coloration: body yellowish-brown or reddish-brown, darker brown on front of head and on back; numerous reddish to brown dots, often arranged into horizontal rows, on head and anterior body; numerous dark brown to orange-brown maculae in unpaired fins, especially soft dorsal and anal fin, sometimes also in pelvic fins; males with several small, orange egg spots in anal fin; juveniles more silvery in color, but eventually develop dots on head; courting males with dark belly and dark pelvic fins (Ref. 52307).
Biology:  Occurs in well-vegetated swamps and along the edges of rivers (Ref. 6465). Also occurs in fast-flowing reaches over sand and rocks (Ref. 6465, 52307). Feeds primarily on small fish (Ref. 6465, 52307), also on shrimps and insects (Ref. 6465). A female (Ref. 52307) mouthbrooder which breeds in spring (Ref. 6465). Aalso caught with drawnets (Ref. 6465).
IUCN Red List Status: Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 01 May 2009 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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