''Copadichromis'' is a

genus Genus (; : genera ) is a taxonomic rank above species and below family (taxonomy), family as used in the biological classification of extant taxon, living and fossil organisms as well as Virus classification#ICTV classification, viruses. In bino ...

haplochromine __NOTOC__ The haplochromine cichlids are a tribe of cichlids in subfamily Pseudocrenilabrinae called Haplochromini. This group includes the type genus ''Haplochromis'' plus a number of closely related genera such as '' Aulonocara'', '' Astatotila ...

cichlid Cichlids () are a large, diverse, and widespread family of percomorph fish in the family Cichlidae, order Cichliformes. At least 1,760 species have been scientifically described, making it one of the largest vertebrate families, with on ...

endemic Endemism is the state of a species being found only in a single defined geographic location, such as an island, state, nation, country or other defined zone; organisms that are indigenous to a place are not endemic to it if they are also foun ...

Lake Malawi Lake Malawi, also known as Lake Nyasa in Tanzania and Lago Niassa in Mozambique, () is an African Great Lakes, African Great Lake and the southernmost lake in the East African Rift system, located between Malawi, Mozambique and Tanzania. It is ...

Eastern Africa East Africa, also known as Eastern Africa or the East of Africa, is a region at the eastern edge of the Africa, African continent, distinguished by its unique geographical, historical, and cultural landscape. Defined in varying scopes, the regi ...

. ''Copadichromis'' are part of a group known as

utaka '' Copadichromis azureus'', one of the utaka of Lake Malawi in Africa Utaka is a term used for multiple open water-dwelling cichlid species that are found in Lake Malawi, the most diverse source of cichlids in the world of aquaria. Among others, ...

and are popular with

aquarist An aquarist is a person who manages aquariums, either professionally or as a hobby. They typically care for aquatic animals, including fish and marine invertebrates. Some may care for aquatic mammals. Aquarists often work at public aquariums. They ...

s, as this genus is relatively peaceful in captivity compared to the

mbuna Mbuna (pronounced Mmm-boo-nah ) is the common name for a large group of African cichlids from Lake Malawi, and are members of the haplochromine tribe within the family Cichlidae. The name ''mbuna'' means "rockfish" in the language of the Tonga pe ...

Species

Copadichromis pleurostigmoides ''Copadichromis pleurostigmoides'' is a species of haplochromine cichlid which is endemic to Lake Malawi. It is found throughout the lake in Malawi, Mozambique, and Tanzania Tanzania, officially the United Republic of Tanzania, is a country ...

'' ( Iles, 1960) * '' Copadichromis quadrimaculatus'' ( Regan, 1922) * '' Copadichromis trewavasae'' Konings, 1999 * '' Copadichromis trimaculatus'' ( Iles, 1960) (Verduya's hap) * '' Copadichromis verduyni'' Konings, 1990 * '' Copadichromis virginalis'' ( Iles, 1960) In addition, several local populations are known. Most are probably colour morphs or at best

subspecies In Taxonomy (biology), biological classification, subspecies (: subspecies) is a rank below species, used for populations that live in different areas and vary in size, shape, or other physical characteristics (Morphology (biology), morpholog ...

. But some seem to be distinct species, such as: * ''Copadichromis'' sp. 'Virginalis Kajose'

References

* Cichlid genera Taxa named by David Henry Eccles Taxa named by Ethelwynn Trewavas {{Pseudocrenilabrinae-stub