Fin's Fish Guide
The Green bream (Sargochromis mellandi) is a freshwater fish of the family Cichlidae that grows up to 20 cm.
Description
The snaileater (Sargochromis mellandi) is a cichlid from southern and Central Africa, including the Zambezi system. The species has a streamlined, greenish to silvery body and reaches about 20 cm. It is specialised in eating snails, which it crushes with powerful pharyngeal jaws, but also eats other invertebrates and small fishes. Because of this diet it is used in the biological control of snails that transmit the parasitic disease bilharzia (schistosomiasis). The species is a maternal mouthbrooder: the female broods the eggs and young in her mouth. It is of local fishery importance.
Frequently asked questions
How do you recognise the Green bream?
The Green bream has a torpedo-shaped body, is mainly green and shows a plain pattern. Crushes snails with powerful pharyngeal jaws; used against bilharzia-transmitting snails; mouthbrooder.
Where does the Green bream live?
The Green bream lives in fresh water and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom. Rivers and lakes of southern and Central Africa (Zambezi).
How big does the Green bream get?
The Green bream grows to a maximum of about 20 cm.
Is the Green bream dangerous to humans?
No, the Green bream is harmless to humans. This species is harmless to humans. No specific first aid is needed. Still handle the fish with care: mind the fin rays and the sharp edges of the gill cover, and rinse any scratch with clean water and cover it. For a dirty or deep wound check tetanus status.
Is the Green bream edible?
The Green bream is rarely eaten.
More photos
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All data
Identification
Appearance
Habitat & distribution
Behaviour & biology
For anglers
Safety
Status & sources
Same genus Sargochromis
More from the family Cichlidae
Want the complete picture on the Green bream?
Point your camera at the fish and Fin names the species in seconds. Free, and the Green bream is one of 12,519 species in the app.