Copadichromis azureus
KONINGS, 1990

	Photo © Michael Persson
Copadichromis azureus male.

Trade names and synonyms
Haplochromis chrysonotus.

Size
12-18 cm (5-7 in.), females a bit smaller.

Food
Shrimpmix, but newhatched brine shrimps are good as variation because Copadichromis azureus feed on plankton in the nature.

Aquarium
At least 300 litres (65 gal.).

Habitat
In the intermediate zone between rocky and sandy floors, but they are most common in open water.

Breeding
Easy to breed, usually with over 50 frys per brood.

General
Copadichromis azureus is one of the most beautiful cichlids in the Lake Malawi. The males are metallic blue all over the body. Furthermore it is relatively quiet and peaceful which makes it to one of the most popular cichlids from the Lake Malawi. Females and juvenile noncolourated males are silvercoulered with three spots on each side, typical for Copadichromis.

Distribution
Found around Mbenji and Maleri Islands but also at Nkhomo and Eccles reef.

	Photo © Michael Persson
Copadichromis azureus male from Mbenji Island, Malawi.