Stomatepia mongo

Stomatepia mongo, the Mongo, is a species of cichlid endemic to Lake Barombi Mbo in western Cameroon. It can reach a length of 10.3 centimetres (4.1 in) SL.[2] This species is seriously threatened by pollution and sedimentation due to human activities. It is potentially also threatened by large emissions of carbon dioxide (CO2) from the lake's bottom (compare Lake Nyos),[1] although studies indicate that Barombo Mbo lacks excess amounts of this gas.[3] Even compared to other cichlids that are endemic Lake Barombi Mbo, Stomatepia mongo is a very rare species.[4]

Stomatepia mongo

Critically Endangered  (IUCN 3.1)[1]
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Actinopterygii
Order: Cichliformes
Family: Cichlidae
Genus: Stomatepia
Species:
S. mongo
Binomial name
Stomatepia mongo
Trewavas, 1972

Very little is known about its behavior, but it has been seen swimming near the bottom, apparently looking for small prey items in the detritus or sand. It sometimes occurs in small groups.[4]

References
  1. Moelants, T. (2010). "Stomatepia mongo". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2010: e.T20865A9233664. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2010-3.RLTS.T20865A9233664.en.
  2. Froese, Rainer and Pauly, Daniel, eds. (2013). "Stomatepia mongo" in FishBase. April 2013 version.
  3. Freeth, S.J.; C.O. Ofoegbu; and K.M. Onuoha (1992). Natural Hazards in West and Central Africa, pp. 50—51. ISBN 978-3-663-05239-5
  4. Musilová; Indermaur; Nyom; Tropek; Martin; and Schliewen (2014). Persistence of Stomatepia mongo, an Endemic Cichlid Fish of the Barombi Mbo Crater Lake, Southwestern Cameroon, with Notes on Its Life History and Behavior. Copeia 3: 556–560. doi:10.1643/CI-14-021


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