Fin's Fish Guide
The Happy (Copadichromis pleurostigmoides) is a freshwater fish of the family Cichlidae that grows up to 16 cm.
Description
The Malawi cichlid is a cichlid endemic to Lake Malawi in East Africa. The species has a slender body with a conspicuous dark flank blotch; males are bluish in the spawning season. It lives in schools over and near rocky and sandy bottoms. With its protrusible mouth it plucks drifting zooplankton from the water column. As a haplochromine cichlid it is a maternal mouthbrooder. The species 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 spots pattern. Striking dark flank blotch; plankton-eating utaka cichlid, maternal mouthbrooder.
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; near rocky and sandy bottoms.
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.
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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.