Kadango Cichlid (Copadichromis borleyi) 4" Preorder (10-15 days delivery)

The Kadango Cichlid (Copadichromis borleyi) is a popular, brightly colored African cichlid endemic to Lake Malawi. Often sold under names like Red Fin Borleyi or Goldfin Hap, this open-water "Utaka" cichlid is highly prized for its vibrant appearance and relatively peaceful nature compared to other African cichlids.

Appearance & Sexual Dimorphism

Males: Mature dominant males feature brilliant metallic blue heads with striking orange to deep-red bodies and elongated fins.

Females: Females remain smaller and are mostly silvery-grey to beige but display highly visible orange-red fins.

Size: Adult males grow up to 6 to 8 inches (15–20 cm), while females stay slightly smaller.

Tank Setup: Provide large open swimming areas in the mid and upper sections of the tank. Use a sandy substrate alongside sturdy rock structures or caves along the back to mimic their natural environment.

Diet & Feeding

In nature, Kadango cichlids are planktivores that feed on small organisms near the water surface. In an aquarium, they are omnivorous and accept a wide variety of food:

Staple food: High-quality cichlid pellets or color-enhancing flakes.

Proteins: Frozen or live brine shrimp, daphnia, mysis shrimp, and krill.

Note: Avoid overfeeding heavy mammal-based proteins (like beef heart) to prevent digestive issues.

Temperament & Tank Mates

Kadango cichlids are semi-peaceful open-water swimmers. They are not suitable for standard community tanks with tetras or guppies.

Harem Stocking: It is best to keep them in a harem of one male to 3–5 females. This helps distribute the male's breeding aggression.

Good Tank Mates: Other mild-mannered Lake Malawi Haps (Haplochromines) and Peacock cichlids (Aulonocara) of similar size.

Avoid: Overly aggressive rock-dwelling Mbuna cichlids, which may bully the more peaceful Kadango.