All fish / Cichlidae

Copadichromis cyaneus

Also known as haplochromis cyaneus, copadichromis cyaneus, utaka cyaneus, blue utaka

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This is a utaka from Lake Malawi, a streamlined open-water cichlid that feeds on zooplankton. Breeding males turn a deep metallic blue with darker fins, while females and young fish stay silvery grey. Keepers like it as a fairly calm, colourful Haplochromine for a large Malawi set-up.

Care at a glance

Care level: Moderate
Temperament: Semi
Adult size: 14 cm
Temperature: 24 to 28 °C
pH: 7.5 to 8.5
Smallest tank: 400 litres
Keep as: One male with 3 or more females
Diet: Omnivore: quality cichlid pellets and flakes, frozen mysis, brine shrimp and krill
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 spawning site, often in sand next to rocks, and the female carries the eggs and fry in her mouth for about three weeks. Breeding in a well-kept aquarium is not difficult.

Good to know

It needs a long tank with plenty of open swimming space and hard, alkaline water. Do not keep it with other blue utaka or Copadichromis species, because they can hybridise.