Coptodon thysi (Stiassny, Schliewen & Dominey 1992)

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).

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

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).

fisheries:

Coptodon thysi 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 honours the Dutch ichthyologist Dirk Thys van den Audenaerde (b. 1934), a pioneer of the study of tilapine cichlids in Africa.