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The Gulf of Guinea Rivers and Streams are some of the most diverse freshwater systems in Africa. Species diversity is not only high for the entire ecoregion, but there is also great species variation among streams within the ecoregion and often within the same river basin. Only one other ecoregion in Africa has more species of fish than this ecoregion. Many have survived and adapted to enormous geological changes.
The rivers in this ecoregion run through equatorial forest and savanna before emptying into the Gulf of Guinea. Some of the principal rivers are the Cross, Ogooué, Sanaga, Nyong, Ntem, and Kouilou. Most of these rivers originate as small streams in heavily shaded rain forests. Some flow quickly over waterfalls and rapids, while others take a slow, steady course across mountain plateaus and through lagoons on their course to the ocean.
The Gulf of Guinea Rivers and Streams are home to many spectacular killifishes and snoutfishes that are found nowhere else. Different species of killifish or snoutfish can be found in adjacent streams. The brightly colored killifishes live in mountain streams, coastal lagoons, and in shallow pools -- wherever they can find a place to bury their eggs. Killifish even lay their eggs in pools created by elephant’s footprints! Giant African water shrews and long-nosed mongoose feed avidly on abundant freshwater shrimp and crabs. A number of frogs live in these rivers and streams and nowhere else, including the severely endangered goliath frog.
Deforestation, large-scale water diversion schemes, and dams all threaten these freshwater streams. The aquarium trade and introduced species also threaten native fish populations.
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