Author: (Fabricius, 1775)
FBname: Semutundu
Comments: Inhabit lakes, swamps and rivers (Ref. 31256).  Widespread in both shallow and deep water (Ref. 34291).  Probably associated with rocky bottoms/coarse substrates (Ref. 27490).  Mostly active during the night and the twilight hours (Ref. 2060).  Juveniles may frequent exposed rocky shores (Ref. 12526).  Feed on insects, crustaceans, molluscs and fish; some debris and vegetable matter may also be ingested (Ref. 28714).  Moderately important as a food species in Lake Victoria, but becoming rare with the appearance of Nile perch (Ref. 4967).  Catches decreased strongly in Lake Victoria after the <i>Lates</i> upsurge (Ref. 34291).  Predation by <i>Lates</i> and competition with <i>Lates</i> (for haplochromines) may have played a role in the decline (Ref. 34291).  A notably recovery in waters between 3m and 6m depth in Lake Victoria has been reported (Ref. 51900).  Second most important food species in Lake Edward, Congo (Ref. 13302).