Coptodon snyderae (Stiassny, Schliewen & Dominey 1992)

Diagnosis: lower pharyngeal jaw robust, with a large, triangular (not heart-shaped) dentigerous plate, covered with stout, sparsely arrayed teeth; oral dentition coarse; outer row teeth stout bicuspids (Ref. 26738, 81260). Anterior rakers not markedly reduced in size; snout acute (Ref. 81260). Ventral margin of lower lip smooth; 10-12 slender gill rakers (Ref. 26738, 81260). Ratio of lower jaw length to lower jaw width > 1 (Ref. 81260). 1-2 inner rows of teeth on both jaws (Ref. 26738, 81260).Description: body slender; snout pointed; frontal profile moderately steep; lower jaws relatively prominent (Ref. 52307). Head length 31.2-36.8% SL; lower pharyngeal jaw with tricuspid anterior teeth, tricuspid posterior teeth; ventral keel much shorter than dentigerous plate; 2-3 rows of teeth in upper jaw, outer row teeth bicuspid (Ref. 81260).Coloration: 3 stable color forms are known (Ref. 52307, 81260), which do not appear to represent different motivational states (Ref. 81260). (1) Green-red form: greenish brown dorsally, coppery red ventrally; snout and dorsum of head smoky grey-brown; upper lip dusky black, lower lip either dusky or with turquoise iridescence; cheek and opercle golden brown dorsally becoming red ventrally; chest deep coppery red; 5-6 faint vertical bars often present on flanks; dorsal fin yellowish green with prominent "tilapia spot"; caudal fin uniform smoky blackish green; anal fin reddish proximally with dusky black distal margin; pelvics and pectoral fins smoky yellow; (2) Dark red form: blackish dorsally, reddish black ventrally; snout, dorsum of head, upper and lower lips and chin black; opercle blackish dorsally becoming reddish ventrally; chest blackish red with slight silver iridescence at pectoral fin base; belly dark reddish black; dorsal fin smoky reddish black with prominent "tilapia spot"; caudal fin uniformly reddish black; anal, pelvic and pectoral fins black; (3) Pale form: pale brown dorsally, silvery grey ventrally; snout and upper lip smoky grey, lower lip silvery white; throat, chest and belly silvery white; dorsal fin pale brownish yellow with red tinge to lappets; prominent "tilapia spot" usually present; caudal, anal, pelvic and pectoral fins transparent with slight dusting of black; caudal fin margin has slight reddish tinge (Ref. 81260).

Dorsal spines (total): 15 - 16; Dorsal soft rays (total): 10 - 11; Analspines: 3; Analsoft rays: 7 - 8

Feeds primarily on vegetative matter (preferably algae), but also takes detritus, insects, diatoms and small amounts of sponges (Ref. 52307). A dwarf species, with females reaching sexual maturity at 25 mm SL, making this the smallest tilapiine known (Ref. 26738, 52307). The number of eggs produced is accordingly small, with 10-20 eggs usually deposited, preferably in shallow water on various substrates; large colonies composed of many pairs have been observed (Ref. 52307). Pair-bonding, open (Ref. 52307) substratum brooder (Ref. 52307, 81260), with both parents guarding the brood and fry (Ref. 52307).

fisheries:

Coptodon snyderae is a critically endangered species of fish in the cichlid family. It is endemic to Lake Bermin in Cameroon. It is threatened by pollution and sedimentation from human activities, and potentially also by large emissions of carbon dioxide (CO2) from the lake's bottom (compare Lake Nyos), although Bermin is too shallow to contain very high amounts of this gas. The specific name of this cichlid honours Alexandra Snyder (b. 1953), a museum collection manager, whose assistance in the field contributed to the success of Wallace J. Dominey's 1985 expedition to Lake Bermin, Cameroon.