Mongo

Diagnosis: elongate and gracile, body depth 25.0-30.5% of standard length; mouth relatively small, upper jaw 26.8-28.8% of head length (Ref. 81260).Description: body elongate (Ref. 52307, 81260) and gracile (body depth 25.3-30.6% SL)(Ref. 81260). Snout long (34.0-39.0% HL); preorbital depth 20.0-25.2% HL; mouth relatively small, upper jaw short (26.8-28.8% HL); outer teeth in oral jaws with 2 unequal cusps or minor cusp reduced to a shoulder or absent; inner row teeth tricuspid at all sizes; lower pharyngeal jaw markedly longer than wide, teeth small and hooked; gill rakers small, conical; microbranchiospines usually present; lateral line system on head not markedly enlarged or inflated (Ref. 81260).Coloration: base body coloration dark grey, paler ventrally; no well-defined pattern of bands or blotches on flanks; pelvic and anal fins often tinged pink; dorsal fin lappets often pink (females) or orange (males), tipped in black in both sexes (Ref. 81260). Some individuals completely black in coloration (Ref. 52307, 81260), more so in ventral parts of the body and related to aggression or dominant status of the individual (Ref. 52307). "Tilapia spot" never present in soft dorsal fin (Ref. 81260).

Dorsal spines (total): 14 - 16; Dorsal soft rays (total): 10 - 12; Analspines: 3; Analsoft rays: 8 - 9

Only found at greater depths (Ref. 52307). Predatory (Ref. 81260). Probably an ovophilic, maternal mouthbrooder (Ref. 52307).

fisheries:

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. 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), although studies indicate that Barombo Mbo lacks excess amounts of this gas. Even compared to other cichlids that are endemic Lake Barombi Mbo, Stomatepia mongo is a very rare species.

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.