Trewavas Hap care guide
Trewavas Hap (Copadichromis trewavasae) — minimum tank 350 L, temperature 24-27 °C, pH 7.8-8.6.
Compiled by Aquairi from published sources · Published · Updated
Overview
Copadichromis trewavasae is a Lake Malawi haplochromine named in honour of Ethelwynn Trewavas. Adult males display a metallic blue body with a darker dorsal stripe and yellowish edges to the fins. Adults reach about 14 cm.
Taxonomy
- Family: Cichlidae
- Genus: Copadichromis
- Scientific name: Copadichromis trewavasae
- Common synonyms: Mloto Likoma
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: 350 L (92.5 US gal)
- Adult size: 12-14 cm
- Temperature: 24-27 °C (75-81 °F)
- pH: 7.8-8.6
- GH: 10-20 °dGH
- Water flow: medium
- Lifespan: 7-10 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 trewavasae Breeding Guide
Overview
Copadichromis trewavasae is a haplochromine cichlid endemic to Lake Malawi, where it is widespread and also recorded from the Malawian, Mozambican and Tanzanian waters of the lake. It belongs to the group of open-water species known as utaka. The species was described by Konings in 1999 and is named after the ichthyologist Ethelwynn Trewavas. It is listed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List. In the Aquairi knowledge base it is recorded at 12-14 cm, making it one of the smaller display haps.
Sexing
The genus Copadichromis shows the sexual dimorphism typical of Lake Malawi haplochromines: dominant males develop intense nuptial colour while females remain plainer. In this species males are metallic blue and females carry yellowish fins. Because mature males hold and defend territories, the most reliable cue is behaviour combined with the brighter male colour.
Conditioning
Copadichromis trewavasae feeds by picking particles out of the water column, a planktivorous utaka strategy. To bring fish into spawning condition, offer small, frequent meals built around the kinds of zooplankton-like foods that match this feeding mode. Stable rift-lake water chemistry supports conditioning.
Breeding Setup
As a relatively peaceful utaka, the species is best kept and spawned as a group with several females per male so that male attention is spread across the group. Provide open water above a sand substrate; the species is often found over sediment-rich, muddy bottoms in the lake. A large tank is needed because this is a non-territorial open-water swimmer that uses the full volume.
Spawning Behaviour & Trigger
Like other members of the genus, Copadichromis trewavasae is a maternal mouthbrooder. A receptive female lays eggs that the male fertilises, after which she collects them into her mouth. Good conditioning and stable warm rift-lake conditions are the usual triggers for spawning.
Egg & Fry Care
The female incubates the developing eggs and larvae in her buccal cavity, as is universal for Lake Malawi haplochromines, typically for around three weeks before the free-swimming fry are released. A brooding female should not be disturbed, as stress can cause her to release or swallow the brood prematurely.
Common Challenges
The main difficulty is providing enough open swimming space for a shoaling open-water species, and maintaining the firm, alkaline, mineral-rich water of Lake Malawi. As with all maternal mouthbrooders, holding females may stop feeding while incubating and lose condition, so they should be well fed beforehand.