Lake Barombi Mbo is a lake near Kumba in the Southwest Region of Cameroon. It is located in the Cameroon volcanic chain, and is the largest volcanic lake in this region. It is one of the oldest radiocarbon-dated lakes in Africa, with the youngest lava flow in it being about 1 Million years old. On old colonial maps the area was known as Elephant Lake, but the elephants living in the area were extirpated due to ivory trading.
Until now, 15 species of fishes have been recorded from the lake. Among others, this includes Labeobarbus batesii, a member of the Fundulopanchax mirabilis group, and the endemic catfish Clarias maclareni. Perhaps most noteworthy are the 11 species of cichlids that are endemic to the lake:
- Konia spp.
- Stomatepia pindu
- Myaka myaka
- Pungu maclareni
- Sarotherodon caroli
- Sarotherodon caroli linnellii
- Sarotherodon caroli lohbergeri
- Sarotherodon caroli steinbachi
In addition, the species of the lake are in danger since the gases that the volcano emits (CO2) and the contamination by the humans.
- GPS
- 4.6666999, 9.3999996
- Geographical region
- Central Africa
- Drainage Basin
- Lake Barombi Mbo
- River catchment
- Water body type
- Lake
- Water body name
- Barombi Mbo
- Water body part
- Open water
- Water body course
- Water body: tributary of
- Tributary name
Videos above and below water
