| Family: |
Cichlidae (Cichlids), subfamily: Pseudocrenilabrinae |
| Max. size: |
18.6 cm SL (male/unsexed) |
| Environment: |
demersal; freshwater |
| Distribution: |
Africa: endemic to Lake Barombi Mbo, Cameroon (Ref. 52307, 81260). |
| Diagnosis: |
Dorsal spines (total): 15-16; Dorsal soft rays (total): 10-12; Anal spines: 3-3; Anal soft rays: 9-11; Vertebrae: 29-30. Diagnosis: 17-20 rakers on lower limb of first arch; length of lower pharyngeal jaw < 43.5% of head length; 30-32 scales in lateral line; head length 39-48% of standard length (Ref. 81260). Toothed area of lower pharyngeal jaw contained 2-3 times in length of ventral keel (Ref. 2, 81260). Total dorsal rays (including spines) 26-28 (Ref. 81260). General color dull grey; breeding (or spent?) males with black or grey smudges; no tilapia-mark, at least 6.2 cm SL or over (Ref. 2).
Description: head very massive (Ref. 52307), head length 39.5-48.0% SL (Ref. 81260). Lower pharyngeal jaw with unicuspid anterior and posterior row teeth; ventral keel elongate, longer than dentigerous plate; 2-6 rows of teeth in oral jaws, outer row teeth bicuspid (Ref. 81260). Caudal peduncle short and slender (Ref 52307).
Coloration: pale grey, sometimes greenish, with dark spots or blotches ventrally on head and body (Ref. 81260). "Tilapia spot" in juveniles, disappears at length of about 60 mm SL (Ref. 52307, 81260). Larger males sometimes with a greenish flush on the head (Ref. 52307). |
| Biology: |
The young of the species are more carnivorous than the adults; the latter feed predominantly on phytoplankton (Ref. 2). Lacks marked sexual dichromatism when sexually active; forms temporary pair bonds (Ref. 81260). |
| IUCN Red List Status: |
Critically Endangered (CR); Date assessed: 16 February 2009 (B1ab(iii)+2ab(iii)) Ref. (130435)
|
| Threat to humans: |
harmless |
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