Coptodon gutturosa (Stiassny, Schliewen & Dominey 1992)

Diagnosis: lower pharyngeal jaw robust and massive, with a large, heart-shaped dentigerous plate, covered with numerous fine, regularly arrayed teeth; mouth not squared or obtuse; ventral margin of lower lip smooth; ratio of lower jaw length to lower jaw width > 1; oral jaw teeth fixed with non-spatulate crowns (Ref. 26738, 81260). 13-16 gill rakers on first arch (Ref. 26738).Description: head length 34.4-38.5% SL; lower pharyngeal jaw with curved unicuspid anterior teeth, bicuspid posterior teeth; ventral keel shorter than dentigerous plate; 3 rows of teeth in upper jaw, outer row teeth bicuspid (Ref. 81260).Coloration: three colour forms are present in the lake and as far as can be determined they do not exhibit assortative mating. (1) "Normal" form: base body color greenish brown dorsally, blood-red ventrally; snout and dorsum of head greenish brown (Ref. 81260). Upper lip black, lower lip pale (Ref. 52307, 81260) with turquoise iridescence (Ref. 81260); cheek and opercle blood-red ventrally, becoming yellowish green dorsally; chest bright blood-red; 5-6 faint vertical bars often present on flanks (Ref. 81260). Dorsal fin yellowish brown; anal fin red with dusky black distal margin; caudal fin yellow-brown with dusky black distal margin and red ventral lobe (Ref. 52307, 81260). Pelvics smoky red; pectoral base yellow, fin smoky brown (Ref. 81260). (2) "Bronze" form: base body color bronze-brown dorsally, yellowish bronze ventrally; snout and dorsum of head brownish black; upper lip black, lower lip pale with turquoise iridescence; cheek and opercle reddish bronze; chest yellow-bronze; 5-6 faint vertical bars often present on flanks; dorsal fin brownish bronze; caudal fin brown with smoky distal margin; anal fin brown with smoky black distal margin; pelvics smoky grey; pectoral base yellow, fin pale smoky yellow; this is a common female coloration, but individuals exhibiting "normal" or "pale" coloration are known to occur (Ref. 81260). (3) "Pale" form: base body color pale brown dorsally, silvery grey ventrally (Ref. 52307, 81260). 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 fin margin with reddish tinge; anal, pelvic and pectoral fins transparent (Ref. 81260).

Dorsal spines (total): 14 - 16; Dorsal soft rays (total): 10 - 11; Analspines: 3; Analsoft rays: 7 - 8

Prefers sponges, but small amounts of diatoms, plants (mostly algae) and detritus have also been found in their stomachs (Ref. 52307). Pair-bonding, open (Ref. 52307) substrate brooder/spawner (Ref. 52307, 81260) with both parents guarding the brood (Ref. 52307). Usually spawns in shallow waters, building colonies of up to 6 pairs separated by about 30 cm; eggs are hidden between leaves and pieces of wood (Ref. 52307).

fisheries:

Coptodon gutturosa 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.