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Lake Malawi cichlids — species, locations & maps

Lake Malawi cichlids — species, locations & maps
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Copadichromis cyaneus 'Jumbo Island'.jpg Copadichromis cyaneus 'Mitande Reef (Rocks)'.jpg Copadichromis cyaneus 'Mumbo Island'.jpg
Next pageCopadichromis cyaneus 'Jumbo Island'
Genus: Copadichromis
Type locality: Monkey Bay, Lake Malawi
Biotope: Open water close to rocky shores; males defend sites on and alongside large boulders without constructing sand bowers or marking territories with algae
Geographic distribution: Widespread around Lake Malawi, including Likoma and Chizumulu Islands; absent from Taiwanee Reef
Typical adult size: Males up to about 18 cm in the lake (up to ~21 cm in aquarium); females up to about 15 cm
Sexual dimorphism: Males uniformly blue in all known populations, sometimes with a yellow-orange marginal band in the anal fin or a light-blue blaze on head and nape depending on locality. Females usually lack markings or show only faint spots; juveniles often display a caudal peduncle spot that fades with age
Diet: Plankton feeder in the open water column
Breeding: Maternal mouthbrooder; males hold territories near large boulders but do not build bowers
Aggression: Moderate; males defend sites but generally less aggressively than Copadichromis borleyi
Special notes: Ecologically similar and often sympatric with Copadichromis borleyi, but prefers clearer water. Exhibits marked geographic variation in male fin margins and head coloration. Local name at Monkey Bay is “mfufuma”

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Photo: © Mark Thomas
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Lake Malawi cichlids — species, locations & maps.
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