Thinface cichlid
📖 Overview
Occurs in well-vegetated swamps and along the edges of rivers . Also occurs in fast-flowing reaches over sand and rocks . Feeds primarily on small fish , also on shrimps and insects . A female mouthbrooder which breeds in spring . Aalso caught with drawnets .
🔬 Taxonomy
🐟 Physical Description
: fusiform / normal.
🌀 Behaviour
Behavioural data for Thinface cichlid is currently being reviewed.
🦐 Diet
🥚 Reproduction
Female incubates eggs in her mouth. Parental care is exercised for a short while after hatching when the juveniles move off to shallow grassy areas and there they remain, in the Upper Zambezi, until floodwaters recede and force them back to the main river. They seek refuge in lagoons and backwaters until reaching a size large enough to avoid predation by tigerfish in the open waters of the river.
🌍 Habitat & Distribution
Freshwater; demersal. Tropical; 11°S - 21°S
🌿 Ecology
small fish (Ref
📐 Morphometrics
🌡️ Water Parameters & Tolerance
🛡️ Conservation Assessment
📊 Population Risk & Fisheries
🎣 Angling Guide
- medium-heavy 7ft spinning rod
- 30-50 lb braid
- fluorocarbon leader
- grass flats
- oyster bars
- marsh drains
- deeper channel edges
Use barbless hooks, minimise air exposure, and revive fish head-first in current before release.
⚠️ Slot limits protect breeding-size fish. Verify daily bag limits.
🍽️ Edibility & Flavour
"Thinface cichlid is an edible species."
- Clear, bright eyes — cloudy eyes indicate age
- Firm flesh that springs back when pressed
- Fresh ocean smell, never strong or ammonia-like
- Bright red or pink gills, not grey or brown
- Shiny, moist skin with scales tightly attached
- Cloudy or sunken eyes
- Strong fishy or ammonia odour
- Soft, mushy flesh that doesn't spring back
- Discoloured or dry flesh
⚡ Nutrition
Detailed nutritional data for Thinface cichlid is currently being compiled from USDA FoodData Central.
🔬 Mercury Safety
Mercury data for Thinface cichlid has not yet been assigned. Please consult FDA/EPA guidance for general seafood safety advice.
🌿 Sustainability
🔬 Full Nutritional Profile
Per 100g - Raw, per 100g - Source: USDA FoodData Central templates (generic fish average)
📊 Population Dynamics
| Year | Region | Index | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| - | - | - |
🌐 Names & Taxonomy
Scientific Synonyms
| Scientific Name | Author | Year | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chromis levaillantii | Castelnau | 1861 | Synonym |
| Chromys levaillantii | Castelnau | 1861 | Heterotypic |
| Paratilapia angusticeps | Boulenger | 1907 | Synonym |
| Paratilapia kafuensis | Boulenger | 1908 | Synonym |
| Serranochromis augusticeps | Boulenger | 1907 | Synonym |
| Serranochromis kafuensis | Boulenger | 1908 | Synonym |
| Serranochromis levaillantii | Castelnau | 1861 | Synonym |
| Tilapia levaillantii | Castelnau | 1861 | Synonym |
🦠 Common Diseases
The following diseases are known to affect Thinface cichlid.
🔍 Similar Species
🗺️ Global Occurrence Map
Occurrence records from the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) - 71 records indexed .
👥 Community & Contribute
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