Home · Cichlidae · Bermin tilapia
Bermin tilapia (Coptodon bemini) — Cichlidae

Bermin tilapia

Coptodon bemini
Family: Cichlidae
CR · Critically Endangered

The Bermin tilapia (Coptodon bemini) is a freshwater fish of the family Cichlidae that grows up to 7 cm.

Length
6.7 cm
Water
Freshwater
Diet
Omnivore
Behaviour
Small groups
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless
Range
Endemic to the crater lake Bermin in Cameroon.
Edibility
Not eaten

Want the complete picture on the Bermin tilapia?

Get the app

Description

The Bermin tilapia is a cichlid (Cichlidae) found only in the crater lake Bermin in Cameroon in West Africa. The species grows to about 15 cm and has a deep, laterally compressed, green-brown body with dark tints. As a bottom-oriented omnivore it grazes algae, biofilm and detritus and snaps small invertebrates. It is a parental brooder that makes a nest pit and defends the young. Through its extremely small range the species is vulnerable. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Bermin tilapia?

The Bermin tilapia has a torpedo-shaped body, is mainly green and shows a vertical stripes pattern. Endemic to the crater lake Bermin; biparental substrate brooder; critically endangered (CR).

Where does the Bermin tilapia live?

The Bermin tilapia lives in fresh water and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom. Endemic to the crater lake Bermin in Cameroon.

How big does the Bermin tilapia get?

The Bermin tilapia grows to a maximum of about 7 cm. On average the species is around 5 cm.

Is the Bermin tilapia dangerous to humans?

No, the Bermin tilapia is harmless to humans. None required: this species is harmless to humans.

Is the Bermin tilapia edible?

The Bermin tilapia is not usually eaten.

Fin

Want the complete picture on the Bermin tilapia?

Point your camera at the fish and Fin names the species in seconds. Free, and the Bermin tilapia is one of 12,519 species in the app.

Get the app →

All data

Identification

English name
Bermin tilapia sourced
Scientific name
Coptodon bemini
Family
Cichlidae

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
6.7 verified
Average length (cm)
5.0 verified
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Green sourced
Pattern
Vertical bars inferred
Tail shape
Straight inferred
Mouth position
Terminal inferred
Lips
Thick / fleshy inferred
Barbels
No sourced
Dorsal fins
One continuous inferred
Dorsal spines
Yes sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Freshwater sourced
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom sourced
Natural range
Endemic to the crater lake Bermin in Cameroon. inferred
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Omnivore sourced
Diet (detail)
Plants, diatoms and insects sourced
Social behaviour
Small groups inferred
Territorial
Yes inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
Yes inferred
Seasonality
Present year-round in its habitat; no pronounced seasonality known. inferred
Special features
Endemic to the crater lake Bermin; biparental substrate brooder; critically endangered (CR). sourced

For anglers

Edibility
Not eaten sourced
Fishing method
Not a target species for angling; at most an incidental catch or usable as baitfish. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless verified
First aid
None required: this species is harmless to humans. sourced

Status & sources

Sources
FishBase via GBIF (DwC-A), CC-BY-NC 4.0

Same genus Coptodon

More from the family Cichlidae

Fin

Want the complete picture on the Bermin tilapia?

Point your camera at the fish and Fin names the species in seconds. Free, and the Bermin tilapia is one of 12,519 species in the app.

Get the app →
Is this the Bermin tilapia? Get the app