Kululu

Diagnosis: 19-23 rakers on lower limb of first arch (Ref. 81260). Length of lower pharyngeal jaw 40-50% of head length (Ref. 81260), width 34.5-38.0 (Ref. 2). Pearly yellow in life, with no markings on body; preserved specimens dark grey on back, with a horizontal darker band in some; decurved snout (Ref. 2).Description: head length 33.0-36.5% SL; lower pharyngeal jaw with unicuspid anterior teeth and pointed posterior teeth; ventral keel elongate, as long as dentigerous plate; 2-4 rows of teeth in oral jaws, outer row teeth bicuspid (Ref. 81260).Coloration: base body color yellowish, grey-blue dorsally and whitish ventrally; juveniles with round "tilapia spot", bordered with a pale band; "tilapia spot" disappears at lengths of about 40 mm SL (Ref. 81260). Dark mid-lateral stripe extending from posterior edge of opercle to end of caudal peduncle often visible; fins usually clear, rarely opaque (Ref. 52307).

Exhibits biparental mouth-brooding.

Dorsal spines (total): 16 - 17; Dorsal soft rays (total): 10 - 11; Analspines: 3; Analsoft rays: 8 - 10; Vertebrae: 29 - 31

Feeds on detritus, plants and insects (Ref. 2). Inhabits shallow water near the shore in Lake Barombi-Mbo.

Seems to prefer shallow areas near the edges of the lake (Ref. 52307). Occurs in schools at the surface; stomach of specimens which were examined contained organic debris; benthic and epilithic diatoms, and sponge spicules were nearly always present and many had inorganic particles in the stomach; individuals were seen shoveling sand into the mouth, moving it about in the buccopharynx, then spitting out the sand and making swallowing movements (Ref. 2). Lacks marked sexual dichromatism when sexually active (Ref. 81260). Probably a biparental ovophilic mouthbrooder that forms little to no (Ref. 52307) and only temporary pair bonds (Ref. 81260).

fisheries:

The kululu (Sarotherodon steinbachi) e.g. Vikululu - Nikululu - Akululu - Bokululu - Hekululu is a species of cichlid endemic to Lake Barombi Mbo in western Cameroon. This species can reach a length of 11.3 centimetres (4.4 in) SL. It is threatened because of 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), although studies indicate that Barombo Mbo lacks excess amounts of this gas.

It feeds on tiny organisms such as rotifers, diatoms and sponge spicules, and organic debris.

The specific name honours the entomologist Gerhard Steinbach (1923-2016) of the Humboldt University of Berlin who was a member of an expedition which was led by zoologist Martin Eisentraut on which the type of this cichlid was collected.