Copadichromis virginalis Breeding Guide

How to breed the Virginalis utaka (Copadichromis virginalis), an open-water Lake Malawi hap that is a maternal mouthbrooder kept in a harem.

Overview

Copadichromis virginalis is an open-water utaka cichlid endemic to the northern end of Lake Malawi, where it shoals in large numbers over rocky shores and reefs and feeds on zooplankton. FishBase records a maximum length of about 13.2 cm TL, with maturity near 10.6 cm. It is a maternal mouthbrooder in which the female alone incubates the brood; in the lake its annual breeding season is brief.

Sexing

Males are larger, far more colourful and have longer fins than females; dominant males develop bright colour, while females remain plainer. This pronounced dimorphism makes selecting a breeding group straightforward once the fish mature.

Conditioning

As a specialised zooplankton feeder, this species should be conditioned on a varied diet of small live, frozen and dried foods; Artemia nauplii are particularly suitable. A nutritious, varied diet brings females into condition for spawning.

Breeding Setup

Keep the species in a harem of one male with at least three to four females, in a large tank with open swimming space, a sand substrate for nest building and rock piles for shelter. Seriously Fish recommends a footprint around 150 x 45 x 45 cm. Suitable water is hard and alkaline: about 25-29 degrees C, pH 7.5-8.5 and hardness around 10-25 degrees H. This is a generally peaceful species and should not be combined with mbuna or similarly coloured fish; it mixes well with Aulonocara and peaceful haps.

Spawning Behavior & Trigger

The male constructs a spawning site that is a very simple depression in the substrate and displays there to attract females. After eggs are laid and fertilised at the pit, the female takes them into her mouth to incubate. The brief, seasonal nature of breeding in the wild is reflected in periodic spawning bouts when conditions and conditioning are right.

Egg & Fry Care

The female carries the brood for about three to four weeks before releasing the free-swimming fry. A holding female may be moved to a separate tank to protect the brood and allow undisturbed release. Free-swimming fry readily accept Artemia nauplii and other small foods.

Common Challenges

Because it is an open-water shoaling species, cramped or sparsely decorated tanks cause stress and poor spawning. Mixing with aggressive mbuna or similarly coloured haps can disrupt breeding and risk hybridisation. Holding females are sensitive to disturbance and may release or swallow a brood prematurely if harassed.