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Pindu (Stomatepia pindu) — Cichlidae

Pindu

Stomatepia pindu
Family: Cichlidae
CR · Critically Endangered

The Pindu (Stomatepia pindu) is a freshwater fish of the family Cichlidae that grows up to 9 cm.

Length
9.1 cm
Water
Freshwater
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Solitary
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless
Range
West Africa; endemic to the crater lake Barombi Mbo.
Edibility
Rarely eaten

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Description

The pindu is a cichlid endemic to the crater lake Barombi Mbo in Cameroon, West Africa. The species is dark-coloured and has a large mouth. It is a predator that hunts invertebrates and small fishes, and has been reported as a kleptoparasite that steals food from the freshwater crab. Through its extremely limited range in a single lake it is critically endangered. As a cichlid it is almost certainly a mouthbrooder. The species is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Pindu?

The Pindu has an elongate, eel-like body, is mainly brown and shows a plain pattern. Critically endangered crater-lake endemic; reported as a klepto-parasite of the freshwater crab.

Where does the Pindu live?

The Pindu lives in fresh water and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom. West Africa; endemic to the crater lake Barombi Mbo.

How big does the Pindu get?

The Pindu grows to a maximum of about 9 cm.

Is the Pindu dangerous to humans?

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

Is the Pindu edible?

The Pindu is rarely eaten.

More photos

Pindu (Stomatepia pindu) — Cichlidae — 2
Wikimedia Commons — Cedricguppy - Loury Cédric (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Pindu (Stomatepia pindu) — Cichlidae — 3
Wikimedia Commons — Cedricguppy - Loury Cédric (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Pindu (Stomatepia pindu) — Cichlidae — 4
Wikimedia Commons — Cedricguppy - Loury Cédric (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Pindu (Stomatepia pindu) — Cichlidae — 5
Wikimedia Commons — Cedricguppy - Loury Cédric (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Fin

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All data

Identification

English name
Pindu verified
Scientific name
Stomatepia pindu
Family
Cichlidae
Other names
Pindu verified

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
9.1 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Brown inferred
Pattern
Plain inferred
Tail shape
Rounded 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
West Africa; endemic to the crater lake Barombi Mbo. inferred
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore sourced
Diet (detail)
Invertebrates and small fishes; reported as a klepto-parasite of the freshwater crab sourced
Social behaviour
Solitary 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
Critically endangered crater-lake endemic; reported as a klepto-parasite of the freshwater crab. sourced

For anglers

Edibility
Rarely eaten sourced
Fishing method
Small in size and barely an angling target; mostly caught incidentally or as baitfish. 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 Stomatepia

More from the family Cichlidae

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