Copadichromis

Copadichromis
Male Redfin Hap (Copadichromis borleyi) 'Kadango' population
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Actinopterygii
Order:	Perciformes
Family:	Cichlidae
Subfamily:	Pseudocrenilabrinae
Tribe:	Haplochromini
Genus:	Copadichromis Eccles & Trewavas, 1989
Diversity
25 described species

Copadichromis is a genus of haplochromine cichlids endemic to Lake Malawi in Eastern Africa. Many Copadichromis species are popular with aquarists who keep mbuna (Lake Malawi cichlids), as this genus is relatively peaceful in captivity.

Species

Copadichromis melas

The genus contains 25 formally described species:

• Copadichromis atripinnis
• Copadichromis azureus
• Copadichromis borleyi – Redfin Hap, Goldfin Hap
• Copadichromis chizumuluensis Stauffer & Konings, 2006
• Copadichromis chrysonotus
• Copadichromis cyaneus
• Copadichromis cyanocephalus Stauffer & Konings, 2006
• Copadichromis diplostigma Stauffer & Konings, 2006
• Copadichromis geertsi
• Copadichromis ilesi
• Copadichromis insularis Stauffer & Konings, 2006
• Copadichromis jacksoni
• Copadichromis likomae
• Copadichromis mbenjii Konings, 1990 – Quads Hap
• Copadichromis melas Stauffer & Konings, 2006
• Copadichromis mloto
• Copadichromis nkatae
• Copadichromis parvus Stauffer & Konings, 2006
• Copadichromis pleurostigma
• Copadichromis pleurostigmoides
• Copadichromis quadrimaculatus
• Copadichromis trewavasae
• Copadichromis trimaculatus – Verduya's Hap
• Copadichromis verduyni
• Copadichromis virginalis

In addition, several local populations are known. Most are probably colour morphs or at best subspecies. But some seem to be distinct species, such as:

• Copadichromis sp. 'Virginalis Kajose'

References

• FishBase [2009]: Copadichromis species. Retrieved 2009-OCT-03.