All fish / Cichlidae

Copadichromis atripinnis

Copadichromis atripinnis

Also known as copadichromis stripe, utaka, black fin utaka, copadichromis sp. 'virginalis'

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This is an open-water utaka cichlid from Lake Malawi that feeds on plankton. Females and young fish are silvery with dark horizontal markings, and breeding males turn blue with dark fins. It is milder than most mbuna, so it suits keepers who want a calmer Malawi community with lots of active swimming.

Care at a glance

Care level

Moderate

Temperament

Semi

Adult size

14 cm

Temperature

24 to 28 °C

pH

7.5 to 8.6

Smallest tank

400 litres

Keep as

One male with several females

Diet

Omnivore: zooplankton feeder, takes mysis, brine shrimp, krill, quality pellets and flakes

Swims

Middle of the tank

Lifespan

8 to 10 years

Water

Freshwater

Wild range

Lake Malawi (Malawi, Mozambique, Tanzania)

Breeding

It is a maternal mouthbrooder. The male digs a sand nest, and the female carries the eggs and fry in her mouth for about three weeks. Breeding is fairly easy in a large, well-kept tank with a group of females.

Good to know

It needs a long tank with plenty of open swimming space, and it can be bullied by aggressive mbuna. Females look much like those of other Copadichromis, so keep it apart from them to avoid hybrids.