All fish / Cichlidae

Trewavas' Copadichromis

Copadichromis trewavasae

Also known as copadichromis trewavasae, mloto trewavasae, haplochromis trewavasae, trewavas hap, copadichromis mbenji

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A zooplankton-feeding utaka haplochromine from Lake Malawi that lives in open water near rocky reefs. Breeding males turn deep blue to blackish with a pale blue head and blaze, while females and juveniles are silvery with faint dark spots. Kept for its striking male colour and comparatively mild nature among Malawi cichlids.

Care at a glance

Care level

Moderate

Temperament

Semi

Adult size

14 cm

Temperature

24 to 28 °C

pH

7.6 to 8.6

Smallest tank

400 litres

Keep as

One male with 3 or more females, in a large Malawi community

Diet

Omnivore: planktivore taking quality cichlid pellets, flakes, mysis, brine shrimp and krill

Swims

Middle of the tank

Lifespan

8 to 10 years

Water

Freshwater

Wild range

Lake Malawi (Malawi, Mozambique, Tanzania), endemic

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 fairly readily in a spacious tank with several females.

Good to know

Needs a long tank with plenty of swimming room. Keep it with other peaceful haps and avoid aggressive mbuna. Males can be confused with other blue Copadichromis species, so avoid mixing these to prevent hybrids.