malawi.si

Lake Malawi cichlids — species, locations & maps

Lake Malawi cichlids — species, locations & maps
By genera By locations Locations Maps Posters Interactive map
Chilotilapia rhoadesii 'Boadzulu Island'.jpg Copadichromis borleyi 'Boadzulu Island'.jpg Copadichromis chrysonotus 'Boadzulu Island'.jpg Hemitaeniochromis brachyrhynchus 'Boadzulu Island'.jpg 'Hemitaeniochromis' sp. 'insignis mumbo' Boadzulu Island.jpg
Previous pageNext pageCopadichromis chrysonotus 'Boadzulu Island'
Genus: Copadichromis
Type locality: Lake Malawi, Africa
Biotope: Open water close to the surface, usually above rocky areas in sheltered bays; occurs very shallow, from the surface down to about 3 m
Geographic distribution: Widespread throughout Lake Malawi wherever suitable shallow open-water habitats are present
Typical adult size: Males up to about 16 cm; females up to about 13 cm
Sexual dimorphism: Females silvery, sometimes with a greenish sheen, usually showing two or three dark body spots. Breeding males display an intense light-blue upper body and dorsal fin, fading to darker tones on the lower flanks, with body spots largely obscured
Recommended aquarium size: Minimum 500 litres; aquarium length at least 160 cm
Aquarium setup: Emphasis on large open swimming space with minimal hardscape; suitable for keeping as one male with 2–3 females or in larger groups (e.g. 3 males with 5 females). Best combined only with calm cichlids such as Aulonocara or Nyassachromis
Diet: Carnivorous plankton feeder; feeds exclusively on phyto- and zooplankton in the water column
Breeding: Maternal mouthbrooder; spawning takes place pelagically within loose breeding shoals close to the surface. Males defend three-dimensional territories within the moving school rather than fixed sites on the substrate
Aggression: Relatively peaceful; mild intraspecific aggression between breeding males, but easily dominated by more aggressive species
Special notes: A shallow-water utaka specialized for pelagic spawning, avoiding competition for substrate-based breeding sites. Characterized by three body spots and a striking light-blue blaze in breeding males.

Photo gallery

Photo: © Ad Konings
Photo: © Ad Konings
malawi.si
Lake Malawi cichlids — species, locations & maps.
All images are used with permission of the authors. Unauthorized use is prohibited.
Quick links
By genera By locations Locations Maps Posters Interactive map
Contact
Email Facebook Instagram
© malawi.si