Red Fin - Copadichromis borleyi

Scientific name: Copadichromis borleyi

Common name: Red Fin

Family: Cichlidae

Usual size in fish tanks: 15 - 18 cm (5.91 - 7.09 inch)

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Recommended pH range: 8 - 8.5

Recommended water hardness: 12 - 15°N (214.29 - 267.86ppm)

0°C 32°F30°C 86°F

Recommended temperature range: 24 - 27 °C (75.2 - 80.6°F)

The way how these fish reproduce: Spawning

Where the species comes from: Africa

Temperament to its own species: peaceful

Temperament toward other fish species: peaceful

Usual place in the tank: Middle levels

Short description

Copadichromis borleyi is a classic Lake Malawi utaka (open-water hap) known for plankton-feeding and relatively calm temperament. Males develop a metallic blue head with orange–red body and fin highlights—especially in the Kadango “Red Fin” locale—while females are silvery to beige with orange-red fins. Keep a harem (1 male with 3–5 females) in a roomy Malawi setup: open swimming space in mid/upper water and rock piles for retreats. Peaceful for a hap, but males become territorial when breeding.

Origin

Endemic to Lake Malawi (Africa), where it occupies rocky shorelines and adjacent open water. Fish hover in midwater to pick zooplankton and descend to the rocks to spawn.

Food and feeding

A natural planktivore. Provide high-quality cichlid flakes/granules for Malawians, plus regular small portions of foods that mimic zooplankton: mysis, krill micro, brine shrimp, daphnia, cyclops. Add spirulina or other algae-based foods for color and gut health. Avoid fatty mammalian meats and minimize very rich foods to reduce the risk of Malawi bloat.

Sexing

Adult males are larger and far more colorful, often with extended dorsal/anal tips and pronounced egg-spots on the anal fin. Females remain smaller, silvery/beige, frequently with orange-red in the fins (especially in “Red Fin” forms).

Breeding

A maternal mouthbrooder. The male courts over a flat rock or small clearing near the rocks; the female lays and immediately takes eggs into her mouth. Incubation lasts about 3–4 weeks, after which the female releases robust fry. Start fry on baby brine shrimp, finely crushed flakes, or high-quality micro-granules. For best results, isolate holding females so they are not harassed.

Lifespan

With excellent care expect 8–12 years.

Behavior & compatibility

Generally peaceful hap that mixes well with other non-aggressive Malawi haps and Aulonocara. Avoid very aggressive mbuna and species with similar male coloration that could trigger rivalry in smaller tanks. Keep only one mature male per tank unless the aquarium is very large with multiple territories.

Tank requirements

• Tank size: minimum ~300 L (120 cm length) for a harem; larger preferred.
• Aquascape: open midwater lanes for schooling/swimming, plus rock piles/caves for security and spawning sites.
• Water: hard, alkaline; 24–27 °C; strong filtration and low nitrate with steady weekly water changes.

Notes on identification

“Red Fin” typically refers to the Kadango locale of C. borleyi. Other locales (e.g., Likoma, Nkhata Bay) show differences in body hue and fin coloration; all share the utaka body shape and midwater habits.

Pictures

Bought by aqua-fish.net from jjphoto.dk.