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= Serranochromis macrocephalus =

The Purpleface Largemouth (Serranochromis macrocephalus) is a fish belonging to the Cichlidae family and Pseudocrenilabrinae subfamily found in freshwater habitats in Central and Southern Africa. This species was discovered as Paratilapia macrocephalus in 1899 by George Albert Boulenger.

Distribution
Serranochromis macrocephalus is commonly found in a wide range of freshwater habitats, from mainstream margins to floodplain channels and lagoons. This species of fish is native to Africa, in the countries Angola, Botswana, Namibia, Zambia, Zimbabwe and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Particularly, in the Cunene River system (Angola and Namibia); Okovango River and swamps; upper Zambezi system including Lake Cameia, Kafue River and Luangwa system. Luapula-Mweru, Lulua River, Angolan Kasai (upper and middle Congo River basin) and Cuanza River in Angola.

Environment
The Purpleface Largemouth lives in a freshwater environment, in the demersal zone. It prefers tropical waters with temperatures of 11°C - 21°C. Hydroelectric plants near Victoria Falls have been shown to provide an invasion path for various fish species of the upper Zambezi to circumvent the natural zoogeographical barrier of the falls and spread via the power plant into the middle and lower river. Serranochromis macrocephalus has been one of these species that is now present in Lake Kariva and in the Zambezi River below the Kariba Dam.

Etymology
Serranochromis: Latin, serra = saw + Greek, chromis = a fish, perhaps a perch. Other common names include Khèle, Makobo, Ngenga, Ntasa, Persgesig-grootbek, Perskop-grootbek, Purpleface Largemouth, Tshimbua, 大头鮨丽鱼, 大頭鮨麗魚.

Length and Size
Maturity: Lm 17.5, range 15 - 20 cm Max length : 35.0 cm SL male/unsexed ; max. published weight: 1.5 kg ; max. reported age: 6 years

Average adult weight is 825g.

Diet
The Purpleface Largemouth primarily eats insects and small fish, like mormyrids and barbs, which are hunted near the bottom.

Reproduction
The Purpleface Largemouth is a maternal mouth brooding agamous species that breeds in spring and early summer at low water, before the annual floods arrive. It lays relatively few eggs. Maturity is reached after 1-2 years.