| Family: |
Cichlidae (Cichlids), subfamily: Pseudocrenilabrinae |
| Max. size: |
8.23 cm SL (male/unsexed) |
| Environment: |
benthopelagic; freshwater |
| Distribution: |
Africa: endemic to Lake Bermin, Cameroon (Ref. 52307, 81260). |
| Diagnosis: |
Dorsal spines (total): 15-15; Dorsal soft rays (total): 11-11; Anal spines: 3-3; Anal soft rays: 7-8. Diagnosis: lower pharyngeal jaw robust, with a large, non-heart-shaped, dentigerous plate, covered with stout, sparsely arrayed teeth; oral dentition fine; outer row teeth obliquely truncate; anterior gill rakers markedly reduced in size (Ref. 81260).
Description: head length 35.1-40.0% SL; lower pharyngeal jaw with curved tricuspid anterior teeth and straight posterior teeth; ventral keel shorter than dentigerous plate; outer row teeth in oral jaws bicuspid (Ref. 81260).
Coloration: base body color yellow or pale yellowish green (Ref. 52307, 81260). Snout, cheek and opercle bright lemon yellow; lower lip white with blue-green iridescence on chin; dorsal fin pale yellow with brighter yellow dorsal margin; caudal, anal, pelvic and pectoral fins pale dusky yellow (Ref. 81260). A few pale, whitish individuals, lacking striking yellow coloration, occur in the lake (Ref. 52307, 81260). |
| Biology: |
Feeds primarily on phytoplankton, but also accepts higher plants and sponges (Ref. 52307). Pair-bonding, open (Ref. 52307) substrate brooder/spawner (Ref. 52307, 81260), with both parents guarding the brood (Ref. 52307). Prefers to spawn at depths of 1-2 m; eggs are normally deposited on sunken pieces of wood; occasionally, colonies consisting of about 10 pairs have been found, with pairs separated from each other by about 30 cm; pairs defending juveniles collectively have been observed, which might be an indication of cooperative broodcare (Ref. 52307). |
| 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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