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Haplochromis borleyi redfin (Copadichromis borleyi) — Cichlidae

Haplochromis borleyi redfin

Copadichromis borleyi
Family: Cichlidae
LC · Least Concern

The Haplochromis borleyi redfin (Copadichromis borleyi) is a freshwater fish of the family Cichlidae that grows up to 14 cm.

Length
14 cm
Water
Freshwater
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Large groups
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Mixed bottom
Danger
Harmless
Range
Endemic to Lake Malawi in East Africa; rocky areas.
Edibility
Rarely eaten

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Description

Borley's hap is a cichlid endemic to Lake Malawi in East Africa. The species grows to about 15 cm; courting males are handsomely blue with orange or yellow fins, while females and juveniles are silvery-grey. It prefers rocky areas and is mostly seen near very large boulders; in shallow water large schools congregate at rocky islets. It feeds on zooplankton that it picks from the open water. It is a maternal mouthbrooder. The species is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Haplochromis borleyi redfin?

The Haplochromis borleyi redfin has a torpedo-shaped body, is mainly blue and shows a plain pattern. Plankton-eating utaka cichlid of rocky zones; maternal mouthbrooder with bright blue males.

Where does the Haplochromis borleyi redfin live?

The Haplochromis borleyi redfin lives in fresh water and is mostly found around mixed bottom. Endemic to Lake Malawi in East Africa; rocky areas.

How big does the Haplochromis borleyi redfin get?

The Haplochromis borleyi redfin grows to a maximum of about 14 cm.

Is the Haplochromis borleyi redfin dangerous to humans?

No, the Haplochromis borleyi redfin is harmless to humans. None required: this species is harmless to humans.

Is the Haplochromis borleyi redfin edible?

The Haplochromis borleyi redfin is rarely eaten.

More photos

Haplochromis borleyi redfin (Copadichromis borleyi) — Cichlidae — 2
iNaturalist ((c) Michael Verdirame, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Haplochromis borleyi redfin (Copadichromis borleyi) — Cichlidae — 3
iNaturalist ((c) Carsten Klarborg Larsen, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Haplochromis borleyi redfin (Copadichromis borleyi) — Cichlidae — 4
iNaturalist ((c) Bastien Louboutin, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Haplochromis borleyi redfin (Copadichromis borleyi) — Cichlidae — 5
Wikimedia Commons — Calilasseia at English Wikipedia (Public domain)
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All data

Identification

English name
Haplochromis borleyi redfin verified
Scientific name
Copadichromis borleyi
Family
Cichlidae
Other names
Haplochromis goldfin; Happy verified

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
14.0 verified
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Blue inferred
Pattern
Plain 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
Natural range
Endemic to Lake Malawi in East Africa; rocky areas. inferred
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore sourced
Diet (detail)
Zooplankton from the open water sourced
Social behaviour
Large groups inferred
Territorial
Yes inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
Yes inferred
Seasonality
Present year-round in its habitat; no pronounced seasonality known. inferred
Special features
Plankton-eating utaka cichlid of rocky zones; maternal mouthbrooder with bright blue males. sourced

For anglers

Edibility
Rarely eaten sourced
Fishing method
Small in size and barely an angling target; mostly caught incidentally or as baitfish. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless sourced
First aid
None required: this species is harmless to humans. 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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