The most distinguishing feature of this species is that when freshly caught the capillaries swell with blood, particularly at the base of the fins, and oozes out to stain the fishes otherwise silvery skin.

[4] The dikume is an invertebrate feeder which specialises in feeding on the larvae of the mosquito Chaoborus spp.

To reach this food source the dikumbe must spend time in water that is so deep that it is deoxygenated, the high levels of hemoglobin in its blood are an adaptation that allow it to store oxygen so that it can visit the deeper, deoxygenated parts of the lake.

It is potentially also threatened by large emissions of carbon dioxide (CO2) from the lake's bottom (compare Lake Nyos),[1] although studies indicate that Barombo Mbo lacks excess amounts of this gas.

[6] As well as water abstraction to supply the growing town of Kumba and the introduction of non-native species.