All fish / Cichlidae

Mbenji Peacock

Copadichromis mbenjii

Also known as mbenji peacock, mbenji haplochromis, copadichromis sp. mbenji, fire crest mbenji, firecrest mloto, copadichromis borleyi mbenji, red fin mbenji, 火冠蓝孔雀

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This is a utaka cichlid from Lake Malawi. In the wild it feeds on plankton in open water. Mature males are a deep metallic blue with an orange to red blaze on the head and dorsal fin, while females are a plain silvery brown. Keepers like it because it is one of the most colourful haps that is still fairly mild for a Malawi fish.

Care at a glance

Care level

Moderate

Temperament

Semi

Adult size

15 cm

Temperature

24 to 28 °C

pH

7.6 to 8.6

Smallest tank

300 litres

Keep as

One male with 3 or more females

Diet

Omnivore: zooplankton-type foods such as mysis, brine shrimp, krill and quality cichlid pellets

Swims

Middle of the tank

Lifespan

8 to 10 years

Water

Freshwater

Wild range

Lake Malawi (Mbenji Islands), Malawi

Breeding

It is a maternal mouthbrooder. The female holds the eggs and fry for about three weeks after spawning on a rock or on the substrate. It breeds readily in a well-kept tank with several females per male.

Good to know

Males can be territorial towards similar-looking blue haps and peacocks, and they hybridise easily with other Copadichromis and Aulonocara, so keep only one species of each type. It is often sold under older names such as Copadichromis borleyi or 'Mbenji'.