Fin's Fish Guide
The Happy (Copadichromis chrysonotus) is a freshwater fish of the family Cichlidae that grows up to 16 cm.
Description
The golden utaka is an 'utaka' cichlid (Cichlidae) endemic to Lake Malawi in East Africa. The species grows to about 14 cm; courting males are handsomely metallic blue with a paler back, while females and juveniles are silver-grey. It lives in open water near the shore, where it hunts zooplankton in schools, plucking it from the open water. It is a maternal mouthbrooder: the female incubates the eggs and larvae in her mouth and shelters the young there. The species is popular with aquarists and is harmless to humans.
Frequently asked questions
How do you recognise the Happy?
The Happy has a torpedo-shaped body, is mainly blue and shows a plain pattern. Open-water plankton feeder of Lake Malawi; maternal mouthbrooder with a blue courting male.
Where does the Happy live?
The Happy lives in fresh water and is mostly found around mixed bottom. Endemic to Lake Malawi in East Africa; open coastal water.
How big does the Happy get?
The Happy grows to a maximum of about 16 cm.
Is the Happy dangerous to humans?
No, the Happy is harmless to humans. None required: this species is harmless to humans.
Is the Happy edible?
The Happy is rarely eaten.
More photos
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All data
Identification
Appearance
Habitat & distribution
Behaviour & biology
For anglers
Safety
Status & sources
Same genus Copadichromis
More from the family Cichlidae
Want the complete picture on the Happy?
Point your camera at the fish and Fin names the species in seconds. Free, and the Happy is one of 12,519 species in the app.