Kadango Red Fin care guide
Kadango Red Fin (Copadichromis borleyi) — minimum tank 400 L, temperature 24-27 °C, pH 7.8-8.6.
Compiled by Aquairi from published sources · Published · Updated
Overview
Copadichromis borleyi ("Red Fin Borleyi" / "Kadango") is a Lake Malawi haplochromine cichlid in which adult males display a metallic blue head and chest with a deep red-orange body and fins. Adults reach about 20 cm. Several locality morphs are recognised across the lake.
Taxonomy
- Family: Cichlidae
- Genus: Copadichromis
- Scientific name: Copadichromis borleyi
- Common synonyms: Kadango Red, Borleyi
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: 15-20 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 borleyi Breeding Guide
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.