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Azure mbuna (Copadichromis azureus) — Cichlidae

Azure mbuna

Copadichromis azureus
Family: Cichlidae

The Azure mbuna (Copadichromis azureus) is a freshwater fish of the family Cichlidae that grows up to 15 cm.

Length
14.6 cm
Water
Freshwater
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Schooling
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Mixed bottom
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Commonly eaten

Description

The azure mbuna is a cichlid from Lake Malawi in East Africa, belonging to the plankton-eating 'utaka' group. The species grows to about 15 cm; dominant males are bright azure-blue, females and juveniles silver-grey. As an open-water dweller it swims in schools above rocky slopes and picks suspended zooplankton from the water. It is a mouthbrooder. The fish is harmless to humans and is prized in the aquarium trade.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Azure mbuna?

The Azure mbuna has a torpedo-shaped body and is mainly blue.

Where does the Azure mbuna live?

The Azure mbuna lives in fresh water and is mostly found around mixed bottom.

How big does the Azure mbuna get?

The Azure mbuna grows to a maximum of about 15 cm.

Is the Azure mbuna dangerous to humans?

No, the Azure mbuna is harmless to humans.

Is the Azure mbuna edible?

Yes, the Azure mbuna is commonly eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Azuurblauwe utaka sourced
English name
Azure mbuna sourced
Scientific name
Copadichromis azureus
Family
Cichlidae
Other names
Happy sourced

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
14.6 verified
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Blue sourced
Tail shape
Forked inferred

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Freshwater sourced
Substrate
Mixed bottom sourced
Origin
Native inferred

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore inferred
Social behaviour
Schooling sourced
Territorial
No inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes inferred
Sexual dimorphism
Yes sourced

For anglers

Edibility
Commonly eaten inferred
Fishing method
Klein van stuk en nauwelijks een hengelsportdoel; wordt vooral incidenteel of als aasvis gevangen. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless verified

Status & sources

Sources
FishBase via GBIF (DwC-A), CC-BY-NC 4.0

Same genus Copadichromis

More from the family Cichlidae

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