Azure Cichlid care guide
Azure Cichlid (Copadichromis azureus) — minimum tank 400 L, temperature 24-27 °C, pH 7.8-8.6.
Compiled by Aquairi from published sources · Published · Updated
Overview
Copadichromis azureus is a Lake Malawi haplochromine in which adult males display a deep blue body and head with a black mask through the eye. The species is endemic to the Mbenji Islands area. Adults reach about 17 cm.
Taxonomy
- Family: Cichlidae
- Genus: Copadichromis
- Scientific name: Copadichromis azureus
- Common synonyms: Mbenji Blue
Habitat
Endemic to Lake Malawi, where it inhabits sandy bays, sediment-rich flats and the sand-rock interface of the open lake. The water is hard and alkaline (pH 7.8-8.6, KH 6-15) and warm year round; large adults forage across open sand and through rock outcrops.
Tank requirements
- Minimum tank volume: 400 L (105.7 US gal)
- Adult size: 14-17 cm
- Temperature: 24-27 °C (75-81 °F)
- pH: 7.8-8.6
- GH: 10-20 °dGH
- Water flow: medium
- Lifespan: 8-12 years
Diet
In the wild a carnivore or specialised feeder depending on species — many haps eat small fish, invertebrates or sift sand for hidden prey. In aquaria a moderate-protein cichlid pellet supplemented with frozen krill, mysis and chopped earthworm maintains condition and colour; vegetable matter is not the main component as it is for mbuna.
Compatibility
Less aggressive but larger than mbuna; best kept in spacious 350+ L tanks with one male and several females, alongside other peaceful Malawi haps and peacocks. Avoid mixing with rock-dwelling mbuna, whose constant aggression suppresses these larger fish, and avoid similar-coloured congeners to prevent hybridisation.
Breeding
A polygamous maternal mouthbrooder. The male defends a sand "scrape" or a small territory near a rock, displays his nuptial colours and entices females to spawn; the female collects the eggs into her mouth and incubates them for about three weeks before releasing fry.
Conservation status
IUCN Red List: see species page. Most haps are widely distributed in Lake Malawi and assessed as Least Concern; localised forms with narrow ranges are more vulnerable to environmental change.
Copadichromis azureus Breeding Guide
Overview
Copadichromis azureus, the Azure Cichlid, is endemic to the southern region of Lake Malawi, recorded from the Maleri Islands, Mbenji Islands, Nkhomo reef and Eccles reef at depths of around 20-30 m near rocky shores and reefs. It is a utaka open-water planktivore that uses large eyes to spot plankton and a highly protrusible upper jaw to seize prey. Males reach about 16 cm. It is a maternal mouthbrooder.
Sexing
Males are larger, far more colourful and have longer fins than females. Females are a dull grey-brown, like most Copadichromis females, with three black spots visible on the flank. Males carry egg-like spots on the anal fin used during spawning.
Conditioning
Condition the breeding group on a high-quality diet appropriate to an open-water planktivore; small prepared and frozen foods that mimic plankton suit this micropredator and bring fish into spawning condition.
Breeding Setup
Breed in a harem of one male with at least three to four females. Provide open swimming space and substrate where the male can prepare a spawning site; he typically clears a simple depression in the substrate, often under or beside a stone.
Spawning Behavior & Trigger
The male prepares and defends his depression and displays to females. The female lays eggs and takes them into her mouth; attracted to the egg spots on the male's anal fin, she attempts to add them to her brood, prompting the male to release sperm and fertilise the eggs.
Egg & Fry Care
The female carries the brood for three to four weeks before releasing free-swimming fry. As with related species, the fry can be raised on newly hatched brine shrimp or finely crushed prepared foods.