All fish / Cichlidae

Three-spot Utaka

Copadichromis trimaculatus

Also known as verduya's hap, verduyas hap, three spot utaka, trimaculatus utaka, haplochromis trimaculatus, copadichromis trimac, utaka trimaculatus, 三点蓝帝

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This slim, open-water utaka from Lake Malawi has three dark spots along its flank and a pale silvery body in females, while males develop a metallic blue colour with darker fins when in breeding dress. Keepers like it because it is a fairly calm hap that adds open-water movement and strong colour to a Malawi community.

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: quality cichlid pellets, frozen mysis, brine shrimp and krill, small amounts of plant matter

Swims

Middle of the tank

Lifespan

6 to 10 years

Water

Freshwater

Wild range

Lake Malawi (Malawi, Mozambique, Tanzania)

Breeding

It is a maternal mouthbrooder. The male digs a spawning spot in the sand, and the female carries the eggs and fry in her mouth for about three weeks. Breeding is fairly easy in a large, settled tank that has several females.

Good to know

Do not keep it with very aggressive mbuna, and keep it away from other Copadichromis species to stop hybrids forming. In the trade the name is often mixed up with Copadichromis verduyni, so check that the fish matches the label.