Pungu maclareni
CR

Pungu maclareni

Declining

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

Overview

The pungu is a species of cichlid endemic to Lake Barombi Mbo in Cameroon where it prefers shallow waters of about 1 to 3 metres 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, 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").

Pungu maclareni faces severe threats from habitat destruction due to agricultural expansion and urban development around Lake Barombi Mbo in Cameroon. The species' extremely restricted range makes it particularly vulnerable to water quality degradation from agricultural runoff and sedimentation. Overfishing and the introduction of non-native fish species have further disrupted the lake's delicate ecosystem, directly impacting this endemic cichlid's survival.

Threat summary

Habitat

Pungu maclareni is endemic to Lake Barombi Mbo, a small crater lake in southwestern Cameroon. This cichlid inhabits the shallow, vegetated areas of the lake where it feeds among aquatic plants and rocky substrates.

Wetlands (inland) - Permanent freshwater lakes· major

Other threatened species in CICHLIDAE

EN

Gold Nugget Patwa

Mazarunia pala

Unknown
VU

Apistogramma cinilabra

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EN

Pearl Cichlid

Cribroheros rhytisma

Declining
Myaka MyakaCR

Myaka Myaka

Myaka myaka

Unknown

Threatened in Cameroon

VU

Justicia orbicularis

Declining
Brachystephanus kupeensisCR

Brachystephanus kupeensis

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VU

Whitfieldia preussii

Declining
EN

Justicia leucoxiphus

Declining

Frequently asked questions

Why is Pungu maclareni classified as Critically Endangered?
Pungu maclareni 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. Pungu maclareni faces severe threats from habitat destruction due to agricultural expansion and urban development around Lake Barombi Mbo in Cameroon. The species' extremely restricted range makes it particularly vulnerable to water quality degradation from agricultural runoff and sedimentation. Overfishing and the introduction of non-native fish species have further disrupted the lake's delicate ecosystem, directly impacting this endemic cichlid's survival.
Where does Pungu maclareni live?
Pungu maclareni occurs in Cameroon, and United States. Country-level distribution data is sourced from the IUCN Red List and cross-referenced with GBIF occurrences.
What are the main threats to Pungu maclareni?
The main threats to Pungu maclareni are 2.1, 5.3, 7.2, and 8.1. The full IUCN-classified threat record for this species is detailed on the species page.

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