Teleostei (teleosts) >
Cichliformes (Cichlids, convict blennies) >
Cichlidae (Cichlids) > Pseudocrenilabrinae
Etymology: Sarotherodon: Greek, saros, -ou = sawdust + Greek, ther = animal * Greek, odous = teeth (Ref. 45335).
Environment: milieu / climate zone / depth range / distribution range
Ecology
Freshwater; demersal. Tropical; 25°C - 27°C (Ref. 12468); 5°N - 4°N
Africa: Lake Barombi Mbo (Ref. 4999, 81260), a tributary of the Kake River (affluent of Lake Barombi Mbo) (Ref. 81260) and Kumba stream (tributary of the outlet of Barombi Mbo) (Ref. 4999), in west Cameroon.
Size / Weight / Age
Maturity: Lm ? range ? - ? cm
Max length : 16.2 cm SL male/unsexed; (Ref. 81260)
Dorsal spines (total): 15 - 17; Dorsal soft rays (total): 10 - 12; Anal spines: 3; Anal soft rays: 8 - 10; Vertebrae: 29. Diagnosis: 14-18 rakers on lower limb of first arch; 30-31 scales in lateral line (Ref. 81260). Body silver-grey, with mid-lateral black band interrupted anteriorly on caudal peduncle (Ref. 2, 81260). Head length 33.0-38.4% of standard length; jaw teeth with slender shafts and broad crowns (Ref. 81260). Mature fishes of both sexes with variable black areas on lower jaw and lower parts of head; no tilapia-mark (Ref. 2).
Found throughout the lake, but seems to prefer zones with submerged wooden or stone structures (Ref. 52307). Usually forms schools at the surface; feeds mainly on epiphytic and epilithic filamentous algae, and the diatoms, rhizopods, rotifers and organic debris found among them; adults feed by opening their mouths very wide and applying them to the surface of the rock as though sucking the material in (Ref. 2). Lacks marked sexual dichromatism when sexually active (Ref. 81260). Both sexes are possible incubators (Ref. 52307). Forms temporary pair bonds (Ref. 81260), for the entire duration of incubation/broodcare (Ref. 52307).
Life cycle and mating behavior
Maturities | Reproduction | Spawnings | Egg(s) | Fecundities | Larvae
Absence of sexual dichromatism suggests a biparental mouth-brooding function.
Trewavas, E. and G.G. Teugels, 1991. Sarotherodon. p. 425-437. In J. Daget, J.-P. Gosse, G.G. Teugels and D.F.E. Thys van den Audenaerde (eds.) Check-list of the freshwater fishes of Africa (CLOFFA). ISNB, Brussels; MRAC, Tervuren; and ORSTOM, Paris. Vol. 4. (Ref. 4999)
IUCN Red List Status (Ref. 130435)
Threat to humans
Harmless
Human uses
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Estimates based on models
Phylogenetic diversity index (Ref.
82804): PD
50 = 0.5001 [Uniqueness, from 0.5 = low to 2.0 = high].
Bayesian length-weight: a=0.01905 (0.00827 - 0.04391), b=3.01 (2.82 - 3.20), in cm total length, based on LWR estimates for this (Sub)family-body shape (Ref.
93245).
Trophic level (Ref.
69278): 2.2 ±0.15 se; based on food items.
Resilience (Ref.
120179): High, minimum population doubling time less than 15 months (Preliminary K or Fecundity.).
Fishing Vulnerability (Ref.
59153): Low vulnerability (10 of 100).
