Overview
The body of the Nembwe is heavy and robust; the mouth large with large well spaced conical teeth. The pectoral fins are relatively short, 19-23% of the standard length. The coloration is olive to bright green, with a deep olive band along midbody. Fins are olive with yellow orange margins, anal fin of males with orange egg-spots.
Taxonomy
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Chordata
- Class
- Actinopterygii
- Order
- Elopiformes
- Family
- Cichlidae
- Genus
- Serranochromis
- Species
- robustus
Habitat
Larger specimens prefer deep main channels and permanent lagoons, whereas smaller fishes occur mainly in lagoons and secondary channels.
Diet
The Nembwe primarily feeds on smaller fish such as Mbuna and other cichlids, as well as sand-dwelling invertebrates like crustaceans and insects. It employs an ambush predatory strategy, hiding in structures to surprise prey, and is most active during dawn and dusk when visibility is low. Feeding behavior includes aggressive strikes and swallowing prey whole.
Behavior
The nembwe is Africa's answer to the American bass. This predatory bream resembles the bass in appearance and behavior. Nembwe breed in the summer, nesting along vegetated fringes of mainstreams.
Fishing
Like a bass, the Nembwe will sometimes take to the air when hooked, shaking its head in an attempt to rid itself of the lure. The robbie will take almost any presentation used in bass fishing. Rapala type plugs and spoons, jig heads rigged with plastic baits and spinnerbaits are all excellent baits for this outstanding fish. The Nembew is a major angling target and is an important component of commercial and subsistence fisheries in Southern Africa.
Conservation Status
Listed as Least Concern by IUCN.