Serranochromis is a genus of relatively large, robust from freshwater habitats in mainland Southern Africa, ranging as far north as DR Congo and Tanzania, with the highest species richness in the upper Zambezi, Okavango Basin and Congo River basins.[
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Habitat
Serranochromis live in a wide variety of freshwater habitats, ranging from shallow, heavily vegetated waters to deep, open waters. This includes main river channels, backwaters, floodplains, lakes and lagoons, but only a few of the species have been recorded in fast-flowing waters.[
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Appearance and behavior
Depending on the exact species of Serranochromis, the maximum length is between ,[ and the largest species can reach up to in weight.][
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They feed almost entirely on small fish, especially other cichlids, , Mormyridae and Synodontis, but some will also take invertebrates.[ Although all will take most types of small fish, there is a level of specialisation: S. altus is nocturnal or crepuscular, similar to its main prey, the elephantfish. S. angusticeps is well-camouflaged among dense aquatic vegetation, which allows it to slowly approach its main prey, small cyprinids. S. jallae has a particularly robust mouth and teeth suitable for dealing with its main prey, the spiny and heavily armored squeaker catfish (however, young S. jallae mostly feed on small cyprinids and aquatic insects).][
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Serranochromis are and most—if not all—species are seasonal breeders that begin spawning around the end of the low water period. They generally reach maturity when two or three years old.[
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Fishing and conservation status
Serranochromis support important commercial and subsistence fisheries,[ and are also valued as game fish.][ S. jallae has been introduced for fishing to some places in Southern Africa outside its original range and in these places it can have an adverse effect on small native fish, especially cyprinids.]
Species and taxonomy
According to FishBase, there are currently 11 recognized species in this genus:[
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Serranochromis altus Winemiller & Kelso-Winemiller, 1991 (Humpback largemouth)
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Serranochromis angusticeps (Boulenger, 1907) (Speckleface bream,
[ Serranochromis angusticeps
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accessed via GBIF.org on 2021-04-10 thinface cichlid)
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Serranochromis jallae (Boulenger, 1896) (Nembwe)
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Serranochromis janus Trewavas, 1964
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Serranochromis longimanus (Boulenger, 1911) (Longfin largemouth)
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Serranochromis macrocephalus (Boulenger, 1899) (Purpleface largemouth)
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Serranochromis meridianus R. A. Jubb, 1967 (Lowveld largemouth)
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Serranochromis robustus (Günther, 1864) (Yellow-belly bream)
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Serranochromis spei Trewavas, 1964
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Serranochromis stappersi Trewavas, 1964
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Serranochromis thumbergi (Castelnau, 1861) (Brownspot largemouth)
A few other, possibly undescribed species are known from the genus.[ A partial solution to the S. robustus complex has been to recognize jallae as its own species,][ instead of the traditional treatment where it was considered a subspecies of S. robustus.]
Additionally, Sargochromis (the "smallmouths"; found in the same overall region and mostly feed on invertebrates) has been considered a subgenus of Serranochromis,[ but today it is generally recognized as a separate genus.][ Genetics evidence indicates that several genera in this group, including Serranochromis, are not monophyletic.][
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