Teleostei (teleosts) >
Cichliformes (Cichlids, convict blennies) >
Cichlidae (Cichlids) > Pseudocrenilabrinae
Etymology: Copadichromis: Greek, kopas, -ados = carved + Chromis, see.
Eponymy: This is a toponym referring to Mbenji Island, Lake Malawi, the type locality. (Ref. 128868), visit book page.
Environment: milieu / climate zone / depth range / distribution range
Ecology
Freshwater; benthopelagic; pH range: 7.3 - 8.4; dH range: 5 - 30; depth range 7 - 19 m (Ref. 57549). Tropical; 24°C - 27°C (Ref. 12468); 13°S - 14°S
Africa: Endemic to Mbenji Island, Lake Malawi.
Size / Weight / Age
Maturity: Lm ? range ? - ? cm
Max length : 14.0 cm TL male/unsexed; (Ref. 4979)
Dorsal spines (total): 16 - 18; Dorsal soft rays (total): 10 - 11; Anal spines: 3; Anal soft rays: 8 - 9. Diagnosis: 3 lateral spots on the body; supra-pectoral spot 2-2.5 times diameter of supra-anal spot; 12-15 gill rakers on the first ceratobranchial; breeding males with yellow breast, wide yellow marginal band in anal fin and a distinct yellow dorsal fin margin (Ref. 57549).
Body shape (shape guide): fusiform / normal.
Occurs at the sand/rock interface (Ref. 57549). Found at an average depth of 15 m (Ref. 5595). Feeds on plankton (Ref. 5595, 57549) and benthic invertebrates (Ref. 57549). Territorial males build a bowl-shaped bower beneath and/or adjacent to a rock, 18-42cm in diameter and a 4-7 cm high rim; females occur in schools numbering up to 50 individuals, remaining within 2m above the bottom (Ref. 57549).
Life cycle and mating behavior
Maturity | Reproduction | Spawning | Eggs | Fecundity | Larvae
Maréchal, C., 1991. Copadichromis. p. 51-58. In J. Daget, J.-P. Gosse, G.G. Teugels and D.F.E. Thys van den Audenaerde (eds.) Check-list of the freshwater fishes of Africa (CLOFFA). ISNB, Brussels; MRAC, Tervuren; and ORSTOM, Paris. Vol. 4. (Ref. 4979)
IUCN Red List Status (Ref. 130435: Version 2025-2)
Threat to humans
Harmless
Human uses
Fisheries: commercial; aquarium: commercial
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