Pungu

Pungu maclareni is a species of fish family of cichlids ( Cichlidae ). It is endemic in the volcanic Barombi Mbo in western Cameroon ago. The species was named after the capture of the species Mac Laren.

Features

Pungu maclareni has a typical, relatively stocky cichlid shape with a big head and is about 10 cm long. The highest body height is located at the head-body junction. The fish are of variable coloration, usually silvery- yellow with dark spots on the head, ( to a lesser extent ) on the sidelines and on the tail fin handle ( dense again ). Gill cover, back and tail are metallic blue. The typical for tilapia spot on dorsal fin is missing. The dorsal fin of the animals is supported 15-17 spines and 10-11 soft rays. The number of spines in the anal fin is 3 and the soft rays 8 to 9 The swirl number is 29, which specializes provided with strong muscles " picker " mouth is terminal and has distinctive fleshy lips. The single-pointed, middle teeth of the front row of teeth are facing. Because of their red color they are easily visible. In juvenile fish, these teeth have a dent, they are replaced later. The outer row of teeth of the upper jaw comprises 7-8 teeth of the lower jaw 12 to 23, the teeth of the inner rows have three different sized tips. The dentate field of Pharyngealia is the same as the toothless. The Pharyngealzähne are slim and unicuspid. The intestine has 2.5 times the length of the standard length.

Way of life

Pungu maclareni lives in Barombi Mbo in small groups at a water depth of four meters and below. It feeds as growth -eater, along with various insect larvae ( mayflies, caddis flies, non-biting midges ) and also from the endemic freshwater sponge Corvospongilla thysi, which can not be eaten by other fish species because of its sclerites. They also feed on fallen seeds into the water, hard-shelled fruits and plants. You are ovophile mouthbrooders. The relatively large balls have a diameter of 4 mm.

Endangering

The species is assessed by the IUCN as threatened with extinction ( Critically Endangered ). The risk is mainly in the increasing pollution and sedimentation of Barombi Mbo.