All fish / Cichlidae

Redfin Hap

Copadichromis borleyi

Also known as borleyi, red fin borleyi, kadango red fin, copadichromis kadango, haplochromis borleyi, golden kadango, borleyi kadango, redfin borleyi, copadichromis borleyi kadango, コパディクロミス・ボーレイ, 红鳍博雷, 博雷氏

This is a lake-dwelling Malawi hap that feeds on zooplankton in open water. Mature males have a metallic blue head and body and red, orange or yellow fins, and the colours change with the collection site. Females are silvery brown. People keep it because it is one of the brightest haps that stays relatively calm.

Care at a glance

Care level

Moderate

Temperament

Semi

Adult size

15 cm

Temperature

24 to 28 °C

pH

7.5 to 8.6

Smallest tank

300 litres

Keep as

One male with 3 or more females

Diet

Omnivore: quality cichlid pellets, frozen mysis, krill and daphnia, some vegetable matter

Swims

Middle of the tank

Lifespan

8 to 10 years

Water

Freshwater

Wild range

Lake Malawi (Malawi, Mozambique, Tanzania)

Breeding

A maternal mouthbrooder. The male cleans a spawning site, and the female carries the eggs and fry in her mouth for about three weeks. It breeds readily in a well-kept tank where several females can share the male's attention.

Good to know

Males get aggressive towards rival males and towards similar-looking haps. Do not keep it with mbuna that are much more aggressive, and avoid housing it with other Copadichromis species because they can hybridise.