If you buy through our links, Amazon pays us a small commission at no extra cost to you. That’s how we keep the site running. How we choose.
Contents
Overview
Copadichromis borleyi, often sold as the redfin hap or "Kadango" borleyi, is a Lake Malawi hap from the "utaka" group: open-water cichlids that hover near rocks and feed on plankton. Dominant males have a blue head and body with red, orange or yellow fins depending on the population. Females are silvery with three dark spots along the side.
It is one of the most peaceful haps, territorial mainly while spawning and not inclined to chase other fish. That makes it an excellent choice for a hap and peacock tank, or for anyone who wants Malawi color without mbuna aggression.
Care and tank setup
At around 6 inches (15 cm) and very active, it needs a long tank: plan on about 110 gallons (400 liters) and 5 feet (150 cm) of length for one male and three or more females. As with all Malawi fish, the water should be hard, alkaline and well oxygenated.
- Aquascape: sand, a few large rocks at the back or sides and a wide open area in the middle for swimming.
- Plants: it generally leaves them alone; hard-water-tolerant vallisneria, anubias and crypts are good options.
- Tankmates: other peaceful haps and peacocks. Avoid aggressive mbuna, which intimidate it and steal its food. Shrimp and fry will be eaten.
- Common mistakes: mixing it with females of other Copadichromis (they hybridize), short tanks or overly aggressive tankmates.
A cycled tank, a heater, good filtration and weekly 30% water changes are essential.
Feeding
In the lake it picks zooplankton from open water. In the aquarium it readily takes small Malawi cichlid pellets or flakes, supplemented with frozen brine shrimp, mysis or cyclops. Because it is adapted to eating small prey frequently, split the food into two or three small meals a day. Skip beef heart.
Breeding
It is a maternal mouthbrooder. The male defends a small territory, often next to a rock, and courts the female in his brightest colors. She holds 30 to 60 eggs in her mouth for about three weeks and then releases independent fry. It breeds without much trouble in a calm aquarium free of aggressive species.
Compatible tank mates
Species from our database that share water parameters, size and temperament with the Borleyi (Copadichromis borleyi). Calculated from the data in each profile.
Bronze cory Corydoras aeneus 21 gal (80 L) · 72–81 °F (22–27 °C) 
Nerite snail Neritina natalensis 5 gal (20 L) · 72–82 °F (22–28 °C) 
Horned nerite snail Clithon corona 5 gal (20 L) · 72–82 °F (22–28 °C) 
Molly Poecilia sphenops 26 gal (100 L) · 75–82 °F (24–28 °C) 
Swordtail Xiphophorus hellerii 32 gal (120 L) · 72–81 °F (22–27 °C) 
Firemouth cichlid Thorichthys meeki 53 gal (200 L) · 75–84 °F (24–29 °C) 
Giant danio Devario aequipinnatus 63 gal (240 L) · 68–79 °F (20–26 °C) 
Yellow lab cichlid Labidochromis caeruleus 53 gal (200 L) · 75–82 °F (24–28 °C) 
Paradise fish Macropodus opercularis 21 gal (80 L) · 61–79 °F (16–26 °C) 
Blue acara Andinoacara pulcher 53 gal (200 L) · 72–82 °F (22–28 °C) 
Eastern rainbowfish (splendid rainbowfish) Melanotaenia splendida 53 gal (200 L) · 72–82 °F (22–28 °C) 
Celebes rainbowfish Marosatherina ladigesi 26 gal (100 L) · 75–82 °F (24–28 °C) Check the compatibility of your whole tank →
What not to keep it with
Popular species you shouldn’t house with the Borleyi (Copadichromis borleyi), and why.
- Cherry barb: incompatible pH, one may eat the other due to size
- Panda cory: incompatible temperatures, incompatible pH, one may eat the other due to size
- Zebra danio: incompatible temperatures, one may eat the other due to size
- Discus: incompatible temperatures, incompatible pH
- Guppy: one may eat the other due to size
- Otocinclus catfish: incompatible pH, one may eat the other due to size
- Ram cichlid: incompatible temperatures, incompatible pH, one may eat the other due to size
- Harlequin rasbora: incompatible pH, one may eat the other due to size
Recommended equipment
What you need to keep the Borleyi (Copadichromis borleyi) healthy, checked against Amazon stock.
Frequently asked questions
How many liters does a Borleyi (Copadichromis borleyi) need?
At least about 400 liters for a group of at least 4 fish. More space always helps keep the water stable.
What water temperature does the Borleyi (Copadichromis borleyi) need?
Between 24 and 27 °C, with a pH of 7.5 to 8.5.
What fish can live with the Borleyi (Copadichromis borleyi)?
Based on water, size and temperament, it fits with species such as Bronze cory, Nerite snail, Horned nerite snail, Molly and Swordtail. Use our compatibility calculator to check your whole tank.
Can the Borleyi (Copadichromis borleyi) be kept with shrimp?
Not recommended: because of its size or instinct, it will eat shrimp.
You may also like
African cichlids → Freshwater fish → Complete aquarium guide →