''Copadichromis'' is a

genus Genus ( plural genera ) is a taxonomic rank used in the biological classification of extant taxon, living and fossil organisms as well as Virus classification#ICTV classification, viruses. In the hierarchy of biological classification, genus com ...

haplochromine __NOTOC__ The haplochromine cichlids are a tribe of cichlids in subfamily Pseudocrenilabrinae called Haplochromini. This group includes the type genus (''Haplochromis'') plus a number of closely related genera such as '' Aulonocara'', '' Astat ...

cichlid Cichlids are fish from the family Cichlidae in the order Cichliformes. Cichlids were traditionally classed in a suborder, the Labroidei, along with the wrasses ( Labridae), in the order Perciformes, but molecular studies have contradicted this ...

endemic Endemism is the state of a species being found in a single defined geographic location, such as an island, state, nation, country or other defined zone; organisms that are indigenous to a place are not endemic to it if they are also found elsew ...

Lake Malawi Lake Malawi, also known as Lake Nyasa in Tanzania and Lago Niassa in Mozambique, is an African Great Lake and the southernmost lake in the East African Rift system, located between Malawi, Mozambique and Tanzania. It is the fifth largest fre ...

Eastern Africa East Africa, Eastern Africa, or East of Africa, is the eastern subregion of the African continent. In the United Nations Statistics Division scheme of geographic regions, 10-11-(16*) territories make up Eastern Africa: Due to the historical ...

. ''Copadichromis'' are part of a group known as

utaka image:Copadichromis_azureus.jpg, ''Copadichromis azureus'', one of the utaka of Lake Malawi in Africa Utaka is the term used for open water-dwelling cichlids found in Lake Malawi, the most diverse source of cichlids in the world of aquaria. Among ...

and are popular with

aquarist An aquarist is a person who manages aquariums, either professionally or as a hobby. They typically care for aquatic animals, including fish and marine invertebrates. Some may care for aquatic mammals. Aquarists often work at public aquariums. They ...

s, as this genus is relatively peaceful in captivity compared to the

mbuna Mbuna (pronounced Mmm-boo - nah ) is the common name for a large group of African cichlids from Lake Malawi, and are members of the haplochromine family. The name ''mbuna'' means "rockfish" in the language of the Tonga people of Malawi.Loiselle ...

Species

There are currently 25 recognized species in this genus: * '' Copadichromis atripinnis'' Stauffer & Te. Sato, 2002 * ''

Copadichromis azureus ''Copadichromis azureus'' is a species of haplochromine cichlid. It is endemic to Lake Malawi where it is found in the country of Malawi Malawi (; or aláwi Tumbuka: ''Malaŵi''), officially the Republic of Malawi, is a landlocked co ...

Konings Konings is a Dutch surname and may refer to: * Ad Konings (b. 1956), Dutch ichthyologist * Anthony Konings (1821–1884), Dutch Catholic priest and Redemptorist professor * Jean Konings (1886–1974), Belgian sprinter *Giovanni Matteo Konin ...

, 1990 * '' Copadichromis borleyi'' ( Iles, 1960) (redfin hap, goldfin hap) * ''

Copadichromis chizumuluensis ''Copadichromis'' is a genus of haplochromine cichlids endemic to Lake Malawi in Eastern Africa. ''Copadichromis'' are part of a group known as utaka and are popular with aquarists, as this genus is relatively peaceful in captivity compared to th ...

'' Stauffer &

, 2006 * '' Copadichromis chrysonotus'' (

Boulenger Boulenger is a surname. Notable people with the surname include: * Benjamin Boulenger (born 1990), French footballer * Edward George Boulenger (1888–1946), British zoologist, director of aquarium at London Zoo * George Albert Boulenger (1858–1 ...

, 1908) * '' Copadichromis cyaneus'' ( Trewavas, 1935) * '' Copadichromis cyanocephalus'' Stauffer &

, 2006 * '' Copadichromis diplostigma'' Stauffer &

, 2006 * '' Copadichromis geertsi''

, 1999 * '' Copadichromis ilesi''

, 1999 * '' Copadichromis insularis'' Stauffer &

, 2006 * '' Copadichromis jacksoni'' ( Iles, 1960) * '' Copadichromis likomae'' ( Iles, 1960) * '' Copadichromis mbenjii''

, 1990 (Quads Hap) * ''

Copadichromis melas ''Copadichromis'' is a genus of haplochromine cichlids endemic to Lake Malawi in Eastern Africa. ''Copadichromis'' are part of a group known as utaka and are popular with aquarists, as this genus is relatively peaceful in captivity compared to th ...

'' Stauffer &

, 2006 * '' Copadichromis mloto'' ( Iles, 1960) * '' Copadichromis nkatae'' ( Iles, 1960) * '' Copadichromis parvus'' Stauffer &

, 2006 * '' Copadichromis pleurostigma'' ( Trewavas, 1935) * '' Copadichromis pleurostigmoides'' ( Iles, 1960) * '' Copadichromis quadrimaculatus'' (

Regan The family name Regan, along with its cognates O'Regan, O Regan, Reagan, and O'Reagan, is an Anglicized form of the Irish surname Ó Riagáin or Ó Ríogáin, from Ua Riagáin. The meaning is likely to have originated in ancient Gaelic ''ri'' ...

, 1922) * ''

Copadichromis trewavasae ''Copadichromis trewavasae'' is a species of haplochromine cichlid which is endemic to Lake Malawi. It is widespread in the Lake, and so occurs in Malawi, Mozambique, and Tanzania. It is often found in areas rich in sediment where muddy deposits ...

, 1999 * '' Copadichromis trimaculatus'' ( Iles, 1960) (Verduya's hap) * '' Copadichromis verduyni''

, 1990 * '' Copadichromis virginalis'' ( Iles, 1960) In addition, several local populations are known. Most are probably colour

morph Morph may refer to: Biology * Morph (zoology), a visual or behavioral difference between organisms of distinct populations in a species * Muller's morphs, a classification scheme for genetic mutations * "-morph", a suffix commonly used in tax ...

s or at best

subspecies In biological classification, subspecies is a rank below species, used for populations that live in different areas and vary in size, shape, or other physical characteristics (morphology), but that can successfully interbreed. Not all species ...

. But some seem to be distinct species, such as: * ''Copadichromis'' sp. 'Virginalis Kajose'

References

* Cichlid genera Taxa named by David Henry Eccles Taxa named by Ethelwynn Trewavas {{Cichlidae-stub