Champsochromis - This is a group of large fishes (The Trout Cichlids) from Lake Malawi. They, like most Malawian Cichlids, are polygamous mouthbrooders. They are moderately aggressive, but, because of the large sizes they reach, they are not recommended for tanks smaller than 100 gallons.
Chilotilapia - Lake Malawi. These are rather deep bodied fish, which attain larger sizes, warranting a minimum tank size of 75 gallons. They are omnivores, and are moderately aggressive. They reproduce via polygamous mouthbrooding.
Copadichromis - "Utuka". Very similar to the Peacocks, although they are plankton feeders. From Lake Malawi. They are also very peaceful, and polygamous mouthbrooders, and, like most fish which reproduce this way, do best in large groups or 1m/2f trios. With care they can be kept in tanks as small as 20 gallons, although they usually do better in something 30+. The larger species (C. quadrimaculatus, C. borleyi ) do better in tanks 55+. Only males develop bright colors. (Formerly Haplochromis) |
Copadichromis sp. "Red Top Mloto" |
Copadichromis azureus |
Copadichromis virginalis "Gold Nkanda" Dwarf (Sexually Inactive Male) |
Copadichromis sp. "Yellow Princess Mloto" |
Copadichromis borleyi "Goldfin" |
Cyanthopharynx - This is one of the two genera from Lake Tanganyika known to hobbyists as "Featherfins". They are polygamous mouthbrooders, and very peaceful fish. They do best when kept in large groups in large tanks, although something as small as a 55 gallon could hold a smaller group or trio of these fish. They are plankton feeding sand sifters. |
Cyanothopharynx furcifer "Muzi Blue Green" |
The Same Male When Courting... |
Cynotilapia - "Dwarf Mbuna", from Lake Malawi. The smaller varieties (C. afra "Chimate/Dwarf", C. afra "Clown", C. afra "Jalo Reef") can be kept in tanks 30 gallons and up (C. afra "Dwarf" can be kept in tanks as small as 20 gallons). The rest should not be kept in tanks smaller than 55's. They are polygamous mouthbrooders, and have omnivorous dietary requirements although in nature they are primarily plankton feeders. Males are more colorful, although some females exhibit some pastel coloration. The smaller species are the most peaceful, some, like the Lions Cove Afra are extremely aggressive. |
Cynotilapia afra "Hai Reef" |
Cynotilapia afra "White Top" |
Cynotilapia afra "Orange Back Cobue" |
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