Copadichromis borleyi Breeding Guide

Breeding the Kadango Red Fin (Copadichromis borleyi): an open-water utaka hap with harem spawning, egg-spot fertilisation and three-to-four-week mouthbrooding.

Overview

Copadichromis borleyi, the Kadango Red Fin, is a haplochromine cichlid endemic to Lake Malawi, found around rocky areas, isolated boulders and in open-water shoals. It belongs to the utaka, a lineage of peaceful open-water planktivores, and reaches about 20 cm. It is a maternal mouthbrooder using the same breeding strategy as others in the genus.

Sexing

Males are larger, far more colourful and have longer fins than females. Several colour morphs are available, including yellow- and red-finned forms; females are plainer. Males carry egg-like spots on the anal fin used during spawning.

Conditioning

Condition the breeding group on a high-quality diet; well-fed fish in good condition will generally proceed to spawn without further prompting.

Breeding Setup

Spawn in a species tank with a harem of one male and at least three to four females. Community spawning is possible but yields lower fry survival. Provide open space and a flattish rock surface that the male can adopt as a spawning site.

Spawning Behavior & Trigger

The male establishes a spawning site, usually a flattish rock surface, 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 tries to add them to her brood, at which point the male releases sperm and fertilises the eggs.

Egg & Fry Care

The female may carry the brood for three to four weeks before releasing free-swimming fry, which can then be offered newly hatched brine shrimp or finely crushed flakes.