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Keppi (Sarotherodon lohbergeri) — Cichlidae

Keppi

Sarotherodon lohbergeri
Family: Cichlidae
CR · Critically Endangered

The Keppi (Sarotherodon lohbergeri) is a freshwater fish of the family Cichlidae that grows up to 16 cm.

Length
16.2 cm
Water
Freshwater
Diet
Herbivore
Behaviour
Large groups
Body shape
Flat / disc-shaped
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless
Range
Endemic to a crater lake in Cameroon; zones with wood and stone structures.
Edibility
Rarely eaten

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Description

Lohberger's tilapia is a cichlid endemic to a small crater lake in Cameroon in West Africa. The species grows to about 15 cm and has a stocky body characteristic of tilapias. It occurs throughout the lake but prefers zones with submerged wooden or stone structures. It usually forms schools at the surface. It feeds mainly on filamentous algae growing on plants and stones. As a Sarotherodon species it is a mouthbrooder. Owing to its very restricted range and threats the species is regarded as critically endangered. It is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Keppi?

The Keppi has a flattened, disc-shaped body, is mainly silver-grey and shows a plain pattern. Endemic to a single crater lake in Cameroon; algae-eating mouthbrooder; critically endangered.

Where does the Keppi live?

The Keppi lives in fresh water and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom. Endemic to a crater lake in Cameroon; zones with wood and stone structures.

How big does the Keppi get?

The Keppi grows to a maximum of about 16 cm.

Is the Keppi dangerous to humans?

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

Is the Keppi edible?

The Keppi is rarely eaten.

More photos

Keppi (Sarotherodon lohbergeri) — Cichlidae — 2
iNaturalist ((c) joe_cutler, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
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All data

Identification

English name
Keppi verified
Scientific name
Sarotherodon lohbergeri
Family
Cichlidae
Other names
Leka Keppe verified

Appearance

Size class
Medium verified
Max length (cm)
16.2 verified
Body shape
Flat / disc-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Silver / grey inferred
Pattern
Plain 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 a crater lake in Cameroon; zones with wood and stone structures. inferred
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Herbivore sourced
Diet (detail)
Filamentous algae on plants and stones sourced
Social behaviour
Large 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 a single crater lake in Cameroon; algae-eating mouthbrooder; critically endangered. sourced

For anglers

Edibility
Rarely eaten sourced
Fishing method
Bottom fishing with natural bait (worm, shrimp or fish) on or just above the seabed. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless sourced
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 Sarotherodon

More from the family Cichlidae

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