Pungu

Diagnosis: mouth terminal (Ref. 26185, 53940). Distinctive fleshy lips (Ref. 26185, 52307), from which protrude rows of outwardly directed jaw teeth (Ref. 26185, 53949). Inner jaw teeth usually with 3 subequal cusps, outer row notched in juveniles but with simple replacements in adults (Ref. 26185, 53940). 7-8 lower outer teeth, 12-23 upper outer teeth; blade and dentigerous area of lower pharyngeal bone subequal, with slender teeth, firm and unicuspid posteriorly; colour variable, often silver-yellow (pale or intense) with dusky mottling concentrated on head and, to a lesser extent, midline (Ref. 26185). No Tilapia-spot on dorsal fin (Ref. 26185, 52307, 53940, 53949). Metallic blue highlights on operculum, dorsal and caudal fins (Ref. 26185).Description: body robust, relatively deep (35.0-38.5% SL) (Ref. 81260). Snout somewhat rounded (Ref. 52307). Mouth small (Ref. 52307, 53949, 58527, 81260), with teeth clearly visible (Ref. 58527), and jaw teeth with reddish tinge (Ref. 52307). Lower jaw short (Ref. 53949), stout (Ref. 81260) and broad (Ref. 53949, 81260) with with 7-8 robust, procumbent, protruding teeth (Ref. 81260). In upper jaw 18-20, protruding, conical or weakly shouldered unicuspid teeth; lower pharyngeal jaw broadly triangular, a little longer than wide, teeth somewhat compressed and shouldered unicuspids (Ref. 81260). Lips thick (Ref. 52307, 53940). Muscular jaws specially developed (Ref. 52307, 53940) in relation to sponge-eating habits (Ref. 52307). Gill rakers on first gill arch short and conical (Ref. 53949, 81260). 2 series of scales on cheek; 5 scales between bases of pectoral and pelvic fins; 3 anal fin spine shorter than last dorsal; first soft ray of pelvic fin longest, second not much shorter (Ref. 53949).Coloration: adults entirely silvery-gray or yellowish (Ref. 26185, 52307) to bright yellow (Ref. 58527, 81260), dorsum deeper golden orange (Ref. 81260), with 2 horizontal, poorly defined, black lines (Ref. 58527) made up of many irregular black spots (Ref. 52307, 53940): one in middle of body from opercle to caudal peduncle (Ref. 52307, 53940, 58527, 81260) and another, more diffuse line above lateral line (Ref. 58527) directly under dorsal fin (Ref. 52307, 53940, 81260). Upper black lines on left and right side unite on top of head in front of dorsal fin (Ref. 58527). Throat, cheek (Ref. 52307, 53949, 58527), chest (Ref. 53949, 58527, 81260), chin and operculum usually (dusky) black (Ref. 58527). Dorsal, caudal and anal fins dusky (Ref. 52307). Anterior edge of pelvic fins black (Ref. 52307, 53949). Body and fins with numerous black spots (Ref. 52307, 58527) of variable size (Ref. 58527), including nape, chest, flanks, caudal peduncle and caudal fin base (Ref. 81260). Black coloration becomes greyish under stress; lips sometimes bluish (Ref. 58527). Juveniles chestnut-coloured with more black spots, developing into adult coloration at about 2 years (Ref. 58527). No Tilapia-spot visible (Ref. 26185, 52307, 53949).

Eggs green (Ref. 26185, 53940, 58527) and ovoid, large (4x3mm) and few in number (Ref. 26185, 53940). Female is mouthbrooding (Ref. 13614), but possibly variable biparental mouthbrooder (variably one of the parents or both incubate eggs)(Ref. 58527).

Dorsal spines (total): 15 - 17; Dorsal soft rays (total): 10 - 11; Analspines: 3; Analsoft rays: 8 - 9; Vertebrae: 29

Usually found in smaller groups (Ref. 52307) in shallow waters of lake shore (

Usually found in smaller groups (Ref. 52307) in shallow waters of lake shore (

fisheries:

The pungu (Pungu maclareni) is a species of cichlid endemic to Lake Barombi Mbo in Cameroon where it prefers shallow waters of about 1 to 3 metres (3.3 to 9.8 ft) in depth. It feeds on invertebrates, sponges, diatoms and macrophytes. This species can reach a length of 10 centimetres (3.9 in) SL. It is currently the only known member of its genus, nested within the Sarotherodon. The pungu is threatened because of pollution and sedimentation from human activities. Konia, Myaka and Stomatepia are three other equally threatened genera of cichlids that also are endemic to Lake Barombi Mbo. The specific name of this fish honours the Fisheries Development Officer of Nigeria, P.I.R. MacLaren (died 1957), who used his position to collect specimens of fishes, including the type of this species. The genus name honors common name of this fish used by the Barombi people ("pungu").