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Humpback largemouth (Serranochromis altus) — Cichlidae

Humpback largemouth

Serranochromis altus
Family: Cichlidae

The Humpback largemouth (Serranochromis altus) is a freshwater fish of the family Cichlidae that grows up to 56 cm.

Length
56 cm
Water
Freshwater
Diet
Carnivore
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless
Range
Africa: Angola, Botswana, Namibia, Zambia

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Description

The humpback largemouth is a predatory cichlid from fresh water of the Okavango and Zambezi systems in southern Africa. The species grows to about 42 cm and has a deep, silver-grey body with a sturdy, humped back and a large, protrusible mouth. As a top predator it hunts smaller fish in deeper river reaches and floodplains. It is a mouthbrooder. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Humpback largemouth?

The Humpback largemouth has a torpedo-shaped body and is mainly silver-grey.

Where does the Humpback largemouth live?

The Humpback largemouth lives in fresh water and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom. Africa: Angola, Botswana, Namibia, Zambia

How big does the Humpback largemouth get?

The Humpback largemouth grows to a maximum of about 56 cm.

Is the Humpback largemouth dangerous to humans?

No, the Humpback largemouth 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.

More photos

Humpback largemouth (Serranochromis altus) — Cichlidae — 2
Wikimedia Commons — Wilderness Safaris Botswana - Conservation Team (CC BY 4.0)
Humpback largemouth (Serranochromis altus) — Cichlidae — 3
H. van der Bank (CC BY 4.0) via GBIF — SAIAB
Humpback largemouth (Serranochromis altus) — Cichlidae — 4
H. van der Bank (CC BY 4.0) via GBIF — SAIAB
Humpback largemouth (Serranochromis altus) — Cichlidae — 5
iNaturalist ((c) Robert Taylor, some rights reserved (CC BY))
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All data

Identification

English name
Humpback largemouth sourced
Scientific name
Serranochromis altus
Family
Cichlidae
Other names
Humpback largemouth verified

Appearance

Size class
Large verified
Max length (cm)
56.0 verified
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Silver / grey sourced
Tail shape
Rounded inferred

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Freshwater sourced
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom sourced
Natural range
Africa: Angola, Botswana, Namibia, Zambia sourced
Origin
Native inferred

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore inferred
Diet (detail)
Small fishes, crustaceans and invertebrates inferred
Territorial
Yes inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes inferred
Sexual dimorphism
Yes inferred
Seasonality
Present year-round in its habitat; no pronounced seasonality known. inferred

For anglers

Fishing method
Bottom fishing with natural bait (worm, shrimp or fish) on or just above the seabed. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless verified
First aid
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. verified

Status & sources

Sources
FishBase via GBIF (DwC-A), CC-BY-NC 4.0

Same genus Serranochromis

More from the family Cichlidae

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