Utaka

About

One of the so-called Utaka cichlids of Lake Malawi, Copadichromis chrysonotus is part of a specialized group of Malawian cichlids adapted to open-water, pelagic life alongside the closely related genus Mchenga. Found across Lake Malawi from Karonga down to Monkey Bay, and also in Lake Malombe, this species lives in large aggregations and hunts zooplankton using a highly protrusible upper jaw that creates a split-second vacuum to suck in drifting prey. A feeding mechanism shared across the genus. Males develop a noticeably pale dorsal surface compared to the more uniformly blue C. azureus, a species frequently mislabeled and sold under this fish's name, so it pays to look closely before buying. In the aquarium, chrysonotus is a genuinely peaceful cichlid, but it needs thoughtful tankmates. Mbuna are too rough, similarly colored species can trigger territorial responses, and other Copadichromis risk hybridizing. Aulonocara species and calm Haplochromines like Cyrtocara moorii make good companions. Keep one male with three or more females to distribute attention evenly, giving each male enough open space for his mid-water breeding territory. It is a maternal mouthbrooder, with females carrying eggs for three to four weeks. Not seen frequently in the hobby, but a rewarding species for the intermediate keeper with a suitably spacious, well-planned Malawi setup.