Coptodon flava
CR

Coptodon flava

Unknown

Photo: Wikimedia Commons (CC) via https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coptodon_flava

Overview

A detailed profile for this species is sourced from the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species as assessments become available.

Coptodon flava faces severe threats from habitat degradation and water pollution in its native West African freshwater systems. Overfishing, dam construction, and agricultural runoff have significantly impacted the shallow coastal and riverine waters where this cichlid species depends for breeding and feeding.

Threat summary

Habitat

This cichlid species inhabits shallow freshwater and brackish coastal waters, rivers, and lagoons in West Africa. It typically occurs in areas with sandy or muddy substrates and abundant aquatic vegetation in estuarine and lower river systems.

FRESHWATER· major

Other threatened species in Cichlidae

Coptodon imbrifernaCR

Coptodon imbriferna

Unknown
Pangani HaploVU

Pangani Haplo

Ctenochromis pectoralis

Unknown
CR

Coptodon gutturosa

Unknown
CR

Lamprologus kungweensis

Unknown

Threatened in Cameroon

VU

Justicia orbicularis

Declining
Brachystephanus kupeensisCR

Brachystephanus kupeensis

Declining
VU

Whitfieldia preussii

Declining
EN

Justicia leucoxiphus

Declining

Frequently asked questions

Why is Coptodon flava classified as Critically Endangered?
Coptodon flava is classified as Critically Endangered — facing an extremely high risk of extinction in the wild — because population sizes are very small, declining sharply, or restricted to a tiny range. Coptodon flava faces severe threats from habitat degradation and water pollution in its native West African freshwater systems. Overfishing, dam construction, and agricultural runoff have significantly impacted the shallow coastal and riverine waters where this cichlid species depends for breeding and feeding.
Where does Coptodon flava live?
Coptodon flava occurs in Cameroon. Country-level distribution data is sourced from the IUCN Red List and cross-referenced with GBIF occurrences.
What are the main threats to Coptodon flava?
The main threats to Coptodon flava are ai-1, ai-2, ai-3, and ai-4. The full IUCN-classified threat record for this species is detailed on the species page.

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