Copadichromis

Copadichromis azureus is an Utaka cichlid endemic to Lake Malawi, found in the southern part of the lake around the Maleri and Mbenji Islands. It shoals in open water around rocky shores and reefs at 20-30 metres. Dozens of colour forms exist, usually sold with the collection locality attached, and it is sometimes seen under the invalid name Haplochromis chrysonotus, which causes confusion with C. chrysonotus. Peaceful even by Copadichromis standards, it should not be kept with Mbuna.

Copadichromis borleyi is an Utaka cichlid endemic to Lake Malawi, where it shoals over rocky areas and isolated boulders at 5-20 metres. One of the species most commonly encountered in the hobby, it is available in several colour morphs, often divided into yellow and red finned forms and sold with the collection locality attached, such as 'Kadango'. It is also sold under invalid names such as Haplochromis 'red Kadango'. Other Copadichromis should be left out, as they can hybridise.

Copadichromis chrysonotus is an Utaka cichlid endemic to Lake Malawi, collected between Karonga and Monkey Bay in deep, open water. Among Copadichromis it is the best-known open-water spawner. It is not seen often in the hobby, and most fish imported under the name turn out to be C. azureus sold as 'Haplochromis chrysonotus'. Males are paler on the dorsal surface than the uniformly blue C. azureus, while the females are virtually indistinguishable.

Copadichromis ilesi is an Utaka cichlid endemic to Lake Malawi, collected at Gome, Nkata Bay and Monkey Bay around rocky shores and reefs. Described in 1999, it was previously sold as Copadichromis 'virginalis kajose' and is a close relative of C. virginalis, with which it shoals at Gome Rock. Its females are sandy brown, and males grow larger than C. virginalis and lack the red stripe in the dorsal fin.

Copadichromis virginalis is an Utaka cichlid endemic to the northern end of Lake Malawi, shoaling in open water around rocky shores and reefs. Numerous colour forms exist and are usually sold with the collection locality attached, such as 'Gold Nkanda'. It shoals alongside the similar C. ilesi at some locations, but males have a red stripe along the dorsal fin and the females are silver. Peaceful even by Copadichromis standards, it should not be combined with Mbuna.