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Happy (Copadichromis nkatae) — Cichlidae

Happy

Copadichromis nkatae
Family: Cichlidae
LC · Least Concern

The Happy (Copadichromis nkatae) is a freshwater fish of the family Cichlidae that grows up to 15 cm.

Length
14.5 cm
Water
Freshwater
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Schooling
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Flat / disc-shaped
Substrate
Mixed bottom
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Not eaten

Description

The Nkata utaka is a cichlid endemic to Lake Malawi in East Africa. The species grows to about 15 cm; males in breeding dress are blue with a metallic sheen, females silver-grey. As a plankton feeder it schools in open water over rocky and sandy shores and catches small zooplankton. It is a mouthbrooder: the female carries the eggs and young in her mouth. The fish appears in the aquarium hobby. The IUCN assesses the species as Least Concern (LC).

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Happy?

The Happy has a flattened, disc-shaped body, is mainly blue and shows a plain pattern.

Where does the Happy live?

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

How big does the Happy get?

The Happy grows to a maximum of about 15 cm.

Is the Happy dangerous to humans?

No, the Happy is harmless to humans.

Is the Happy edible?

The Happy is not usually eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Nkata-utaka verified
English name
Happy verified
Scientific name
Copadichromis nkatae
Family
Cichlidae

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
14.5 verified
Body shape
Flat / disc-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Blue inferred
Pattern
Plain sourced
Tail shape
Forked inferred
Mouth position
Terminal sourced
Lips
Thick / fleshy sourced
Barbels
No sourced
Dorsal fins
One continuous sourced
Dorsal spines
No sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Freshwater sourced
Substrate
Mixed bottom sourced
Origin
Native verified

Behaviour & biology

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

For anglers

Edibility
Not eaten sourced
Fishing method
Geen doelsoort voor de hengelsport; hooguit incidentele vangst of bruikbaar als aasvisje. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless sourced

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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