Coptodon thysi (Stiassny, Schliewen & Dominey, 1992)

Family:  Cichlidae (Cichlids), subfamily: Pseudocrenilabrinae
Max. size:  6.38 cm SL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  benthopelagic; freshwater,
Distribution:  Africa: endemic to Lake Bermin, Cameroon (Ref. 81260).
Diagnosis:  Dorsal spines (total): 16-16; Dorsal soft rays (total): 10-11; Anal spines: 3-3; Anal soft rays: 7-8. Diagnosis: lower pharyngeal jaw robust and of moderate size, with a large, heart-shaped dentigerous plate, covered with numerous fine, regularly arrayed teeth (Ref. 26738, 81260). Mouth not squared or obtuse (Ref. 81260). Ventral margin of lower lip smooth; ratio of lower jaw length to lower jaw width < 1; oral jaw teeth slender, movably implanted with spatulate crowns (Ref. 26738, 81260). 11-13 gill rakers on first arch (Ref. 26738). Description: straight to slightly rounded frontal profile; jaws short; lips not thickened (Ref. 52307). Head length 33.9-35.1% SL; lower pharyngeal jaw with curved tricuspid anterior teeth and bicuspid posterior teeth; ventral keel shorter than dentigerous plate; 3-4 rows of teeth in upper jaw, outer row teeth unicuspid or bicuspid (Ref. 81260). Coloration: body brown to dark brown, with lower body parts reddish to red (Ref. 52307). In life, breeding individuals generally yellow with faint vertical barring (Ref. 52307, 81260), chin (Ref. 81260), belly (Ref. 52307, 81260), anal and pelvic fins (Ref. 52307) black. Lower lobe of anal fin black (Ref. 81260).
Biology:  Feeds primarily upon plants (especially algae), diatoms and insects (Ref. 52307). Pair-bonding, open (Ref. 52307)substrate brooder (Ref. 52307, 81260), 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
Country info:   
 


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