Coptodon spongotroktis (Stiassny, Schliewen & Dominey, 1992)

Family:  Cichlidae (Cichlids), subfamily: Pseudocrenilabrinae
Max. size:  13.7 cm SL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  benthopelagic; freshwater,
Distribution:  Africa: endemic to Lake Bermin, Cameroon (Ref. 81260).
Diagnosis:  Dorsal spines (total): 15-16; Dorsal soft rays (total): 10-11; Anal spines: 3-3; Anal soft rays: 8-8. Diagnosis: lower pharyngeal jaw robust, with a large, non-heart-shaped but triangular dentigerous plate, covered with stout, sparsely arrayed teeth; oral dentition coarse; outer row teeth stout bicuspids; anterior gill rakers not markedly reduced in size (Ref. 26738, 81260). Snout acute (Ref. 81260). Ventral margin of lower lip smooth; gill rakers (12-14) stout and fleshy with a crenulate median membrane connecting outer and inner row rakers (Ref. 26738, 81260). Ratio of lower jaw length to lower jaw width usually < 1 (Ref. 81260). Upper jaw with 2-4, in lower jaw with 2-3 inner tooth rows (Ref. 26738, 81260). Description: body moderately deep; lips fleshy but not very thick; very large specimens sometimes develop a small nuchal hump (Ref. 52307). Head length 34.2-36.8% SL; lower pharygeal jaw with curved tricuspid anterior teeth, bicuspid posterior teeth; ventral keel shorter than dentigerous plate; 3-4 rows of teeth in upper jaw, external teeth bicuspid (Ref. 81260). Coloration: freshly collected specimens brown with a darker head and darker fins; lower lip bright white (Ref. 52307).
Biology:  Feeds mainly on freshwater sponges, but also filamentous algae, phytoplankton and small amounts of insects (Ref. 52307). Substrate brooder (Ref. 52307, 81260). Probably pair-bonding, with both parents guarding the brood (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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