Sarotherodon nigripinnis (Guichenot 1861)

Diagnosis: 12-17 rakers on lower limb of first arch; 27-30 scales in lateral line; generally with black spots and blotches on head and body (Ref. 81260).Description: head length 35.2-40.2% SL (Ref. 81260). Mouth small (Ref. 1870, 72503). Maxillary extending little beyond vertical from nostril (Ref. 1870). Snout profile straight (Ref. 68431) or slightly concave (Ref. 1870). Lower pharyngeal jaw with unicuspid anterior and posterior teeth; ventral keel elongate and longer than dentigerous plate; 4-5 rows of teeth in oral jaws, outer row teeth bicuspid (Ref. 81260). 2 rows of scales on cheek (Ref. 461, 552, 1870, 53262), forming a narrow oblique band (Ref. 1870). Large scales on operculum; gill rakers short and pointed (Ref. 1870, 53262). Scales cycloid; 17-20 scales in upper part of lateral line, 8-15 in lower (Ref. 53262, 68431, 72503). 10.5-11.5 scales below upper part of lateral line; 2 scales between upper and lower part of lateral line (Ref. 68431, 72503). Pectoral fin pointed, extending to origin of anal fin; pelvic fins reaching vent (Ref. 1870).Coloration: body silverish, darker on dorsum, becoming whitish on belly; black opercular spot present (Ref. 2). Each flank scale with dark black spot, irregularly arrayed; dark black spots or blotches on chin, throat, cheek and lower part of opercle (Ref. 81260). Soft dorsal with difuse pale spots; other fins uniformely brownish, pectoral and pelvic fins slightly paler (Ref. 72503). Tips of caudal fin blackish (Ref. 81260). Melanic areas variable, but not a total coverage of head, body and fins (Ref. 2).

Males carry eggs (Ref. 41581). Males of Sarotherodon nigripinnis dolloi construct nest and incubate eggs (Ref. 55074). Incubatory period lasts about 14 days; female retrieves newly released young in mouth (Ref. 72506). Juveniles become independant after about 4 weeks (Ref. 55074).

Dorsal spines (total): 14 - 17; Dorsal soft rays (total): 9 - 12; Analspines: 3; Analsoft rays: 8 - 9

Microphageous, mainly feeding on bottom detritus and epiphytes from stones and plants (Ref. 55074). No marked sexual dichromatism when sexually active; forms temporary pair bonds (Ref. 81260).

Estuarine species, preferring brackish water but found in freshwater during low tide (Ref. 68431). Male mouthbrooder (Ref. 41581). No marked sexual dichromatism when sexually active; forms temporary pair-bonds during reproduction (Ref. 81260).