The normal coloration of the pindu is solid black, lightening when breeding and even more so if stressed.

[2][3] It is endemic to Lake Barombi Mbo, a volcanic crater lake with a diameter of just 3 miles in western Cameroon[4] where only the top 40 metres contains acceptable oxygen levels to harbor vertebrate life.

[3] It is a predatory fish and reportedly is also a kleptoparasite on the freshwater crab Potamon africanus.

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.

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