Pungu

📖 Overview

Pungu (Pungu maclareni) is a ray-finned fish of the family Cichlidae. It inhabits freshwater waters in benthic environments. This species can reach a maximum total length of 10 cm. With a trophic level of 2.7, it is an omnivore, consuming both plant and animal matter. It is assessed as Critically Endangered on the IUCN Red List.

🔬 Taxonomy

🐟 Physical Description

Dorsal spines (total): 15 - 17; Dorsal soft rays (total): 10 - 11; Anal spines: 3; Anal soft rays: 8 - 9; Vertebrae: 29. Diagnosis: mouth terminal . Distinctive fleshy lips , from which protrude rows of outwardly directed jaw teeth . Inner jaw teeth usually with 3 subequal cusps, outer row notched in juveniles but with simple replacements in adults . 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 . No Tilapia-spot on dorsal fin . Metallic blue highlights on operculum, dorsal and caudal fins . : fusiform / normal.

🌀 Behaviour

Behavioural data for Pungu is currently being reviewed.

🦐 Diet

Diet information for Pungu is currently being compiled.

🥚 Reproduction

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

🌍 Habitat & Distribution

Freshwater; demersal, usually 1 - 3 m . Tropical; 28°C - 30°C west Cameroon (Ref.

🌿 Ecology

📐 Morphometrics

🌡️ Water Parameters & Tolerance

🛡️ Conservation Assessment

📊 Population Risk & Fisheries

🌐 Names & Taxonomy

🔍 Similar Species

🗺️ Global Occurrence Map

Occurrence records from the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) — 11 records indexed .

👥 Community & Contribute