Coptodon

Freyhof, JÖrg, Yoğurtçuoğlu, Baran, Jouladeh-Roudbar, Arash & Kaya, Cüneyt, 2025, Handbook of Freshwater Fishes of West Asia, De Gruyter : 782-783

Coptodon

Coptodon comprises approximately 35 species, which are primarily distributed in West Africa. Many species have relatively small distribution ranges in tropical rainforests. Some species are found in coastal lagoons and may forage in marine habitats. The concept of a widespread coastal species ( C. guineensis ) has recently been rejected, and the number of Coptodon species may be grossly underestimated. Two crater lakes in Cameroon host endemic species flocks: Lake Bermin with 11 species and Lake Ejagham with four species. Coptodon are macroherbivores and, if available, feed on plants. They graze submerged vegetation and, during high water levels, migrate into forests and

other terrestrial ecosystems to feed on flooded plants. It is common to observe them leaping out of the water to bite pieces from overhanging leaves. As some Coptodon species are particularly abundant, their grazing structures freshwater ecosystems. They may also play an important role in the

dispersal of seeds. Many species grow to a large size and are of importance in both subsistence and commercial fisheries.

Further reading. Stiassny et al. 1992 (Bermin); Dunz & Schliewen 2010 (Ejagham); Dunz & Schliewen 2013 (generic concept); Kide et al. 2016 (diversity of coastal species).