Home · Cichlidae · Happy
Happy (Copadichromis quadrimaculatus) — Cichlidae

Happy

Copadichromis quadrimaculatus
Family: Cichlidae
LC · Least Concern

The Happy (Copadichromis quadrimaculatus) is a freshwater fish of the family Cichlidae that grows up to 20 cm.

Length
20 cm
Water
Freshwater
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Large groups
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Mixed bottom
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Rarely eaten

Description

The fourspot hap is a cichlid endemic to Lake Malawi in East Africa. The species has an elongate body with a row of dark flank spots; courting males colour up bluish. As an utaka cichlid it lives mainly in open water, where it hunts in schools for zooplankton that it picks from the water column. It is a maternal mouthbrooder: the female incubates the eggs and larvae in her mouth. The species is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Happy?

The Happy has a torpedo-shaped body, is mainly silver-grey and shows a spots 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 20 cm.

Is the Happy dangerous to humans?

No, the Happy is harmless to humans.

Is the Happy edible?

The Happy is rarely eaten.

Download Fin's Fish Guide

Identify fish in seconds, log your catches and dives. Join the TestFlight beta.

Get the beta →

All data

Identification

Dutch name
Viervlek-utakacichlide sourced
English name
Happy verified
Scientific name
Copadichromis quadrimaculatus
Family
Cichlidae

Appearance

Size class
Medium verified
Max length (cm)
20.0 verified
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Silver / grey inferred
Pattern
Spots inferred
Tail shape
Straight inferred
Mouth position
Terminal inferred
Lips
Thick / fleshy inferred
Barbels
No sourced
Dorsal fins
One continuous inferred
Dorsal spines
Yes sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Freshwater sourced
Substrate
Mixed bottom sourced
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore sourced
Social behaviour
Large groups inferred
Territorial
Yes inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
Yes inferred

For anglers

Edibility
Rarely eaten sourced
Fishing method
Bodemvissen met natuurlijk aas (worm, garnaal of vis) op of vlak boven de bodem. 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

Download Fin's Fish Guide

Identify fish in seconds, log your catches and dives. Join the TestFlight beta.

Get the beta →