Leka keppe cichlids form schools at the surface, although they spend most time on the lake bed around submerged wooden or stone structures. They feed by opening their mouths and sucking algae and organic debris off these surfaces. Most individuals are silver-grey in colour with a black band from their opercle to the base of their caudal fin.
Fun Fact – Breeding pairs form close bonds whole raising young, but these bonds are temporary.
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Ecology
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Threats
Leka Keepe may be threatened by carbon dioxide given off by lakes in a process known as ’lake burping’, as deep water species have been found dead on the surface of unusually turbid water. Slash and burn agriculture also pollutes the lake and causes sediment to enter the water. Deforestation around the lake leaves it more exposed to wind, which disturbs the low oxygen, high organic matter layer where these fish live. Water is also being pumped out of the lake to supply the nearby town of Kumba, leaving them less available habitat.
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Conservation
Commercial fishing is forbidden in the lake and no non-native species have been introduced, but far more conservation action is required, including surveys to find out the current population and to learn more about their ecology. Nature’s SAFE stores samples to increase potential future populations.
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Preserved January 2024
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