Copadichromis azureus
Copadichromis azureus lives naturally along the rocky shores and reefs of African Lake Malawi. The fish can be found in the open, often swimming with other fish species, at a depth of 20-30 m.
Copadichromis azureus has a relatively tall body and large head. Their eyes are large. The fish have highly developed vision, which allows them to hunt very efficiently for zooplankton that swim in the water column. The coloration of the males is much brighter than that of the females and they also have longer fins. Some fish, especially females, have dark spots on their bodies. The overall colouration of the females is grey. The sex of the fish is revealed by one month of age. The body of the fish is bright blue with dark transverse stripes. Males reach a size of 16 cm and females 10-11 cm.
Copadichromis azureus are generally peaceful fish. Keep them preferably in a species or community aquarium in conjunction with peace-loving tranquil fish. Also, avoid co-habitation with fish with similar colouration, as the Azureus copadichromis become too nervous and aggressive in them.
Keep in an aquarium fish should preferably in the proportion of 1 male to 3-4 females. In small aquariums can not contain more than 1 male. The optimum size of the aquarium for fish - from 300 liters.
The fish require large open water areas. Sandy substrate is also important, as males build nests in it during the spawning period. Place some rocks with caves along the back wall of the aquarium for the fish to hide in. If desired, several shrubs of hardy-leaved plants such as Vallisneria asiatica, Anubias barteri striped or Sagittaria platyphylla may be planted.
Water parameters: temperature 26-28° C, hardness dH 10-25°, pH 7.5-8.5. Requires filtration, aeration and a weekly change of 1/3 of the aquarium water with fresh water.
Light intensity up to 0.3 W / L. Daylight duration of 10-12 hours a day.
In nature, Copadichromis azureus feed on zooplankton. In aquariums, fish are fed live, frozen and dry food. Artemia nauplii are particularly good. A vegetable food additive, e.g. blanched lettuce or flakes containing spirulina, is also required. Feed the fish twice a day.
Reproduction
Copadichromis azureus often breed in the aquarium.
During the spawning season, the male makes a hole in the sand and cleans it of dirt. Once the nest is ready, he starts courting the females. When one of the females shows attention to him, she swims up to the nest and hatches a few dozen eggs, which the male immediately fertilizes. After that, the female collects all the eggs in her mouth and hides in the shelter. The eggs incubate in the female's mouth for 3-4 weeks, during which time she eats practically nothing.
Hatchlings large enough and from the first days of their lives can feed on Artemia nauplii and mashed flake food containing spirulina. The fry are fed at least 4 times a day.
