Coptodon bakossiorum (Stiassny, Schliewen & Dominey 1992)

Diagnosis: lower pharyngeal jaw robust, with a large, non-heart-shaped dentigerous plate, covered with stout, sparsely arrayed teeth; oral dentition coarse (Ref. 81260). 10-15 (Ref. 26738) stout bicuspids oral teeth in outer row (Ref. 26738, 81260). Anterior rakers not markedly reduced in size; snout small and projecting (Ref. 81260). Lips hypertrophied; ventral margin of lower lip folded and fringed (Ref. 26738, 81260). Breeding coloration: base body color pale yellow on dorsum and bright reddish-pink along venter and snout, cheek, chin, chest and operculum a brighter red(Ref. 26738).Description: relatively deep-bodied species with a short snout and thickened lips (especially old males) (Ref. 52307). Head length 33.3-36.0% SL; lower pharyngeal jaw with curved, weakly tricuspid anterior teeth, tricuspid posterior teeth; ventral keel shorter than dentigerous plate; 2-3 rows of teeth in upper jaw, outer row teeth bicuspid (Ref. 81260).Coloration: base body color in nonbreeding individuals drab silvery grey, becoming somewhat olive-green dorsally (Ref. 52307, 81260). Breeding individuals: pale yellow on dorsum, bright reddish pink along belly; snout, cheek, chin and opercle a brighter red; lower lip white, upper lip dusky grey; dorsal fin pale golden yellow with red flecks in soft dorsal (Ref. 52307, 81260). Caudal fin red proximally and in ventral lobe, with smoky grey distal margin and dorsal lobe (Ref. 81260). Anal fin red proximally with smoky grey distal margin; pelvics smoky grey (Ref. 52307, 81260). Pectoral fins transparent (Ref. 81260).

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

Clearly prefers plant material, but also accepts detritus, sponges and phytoplankton (Ref. 52307). Pair-bonding (Ref. 52307), open (Ref. 52307) substrate brooder/spawner (Ref. 52307, 81260). Prefers to spawn in pits or shallow cavities in submerged wood; clusters of eggs fairly small in size, containing about 30 eggs; female usually guards the eggs while the male defends the territory (Ref. 52307).

fisheries:

Coptodon bakossiorum 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.