{"product_id":"azureus-cichlid-copadichromis-azureus","title":"Azureus Cichlid | Copadichromis azureus","description":"\u003ch2\u003eDescription\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eDominant males of the Azureus turn an unreal sky-to-cobalt blue that lights up the open water of the aquarium. A peaceful, shoaling 'utaka' hap from Lake Malawi, it brings pure colour to the upper and middle levels of a Rift Lake tank. Reaching around 15 cm and relatively mild-mannered for a Malawi cichlid, it is a superb choice for a peaceful hap and peacock community.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003ch2\u003eNatural Habitat\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eCopadichromis azureus is a Lake Malawi cichlid of the open-water 'utaka' group, living in large aggregations over the intermediate and rocky zones where it feeds on tiny drifting animals. The lake is warm, hard and strongly alkaline. A tank with open swimming space, some rockwork and hard, alkaline water recreates its home.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003ch2\u003eAppearance\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eDominant males are a vivid, electric sky-blue over the whole body, often with a white blaze on the forehead depending on the population. Females and subordinate males are a plainer silvery-grey. It is an elegant, streamlined open-water fish, and the males colour up spectacularly as they mature and establish status.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003ch2\u003eTemperament and Compatibility\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eOne of the more peaceful Malawi cichlids, an open-water shoaler that does not suit boisterous or belligerent tankmates. It should not be mixed with aggressive mbuna, which will bully it, but does very well with peacocks (Aulonocara) and other calm haps. Keep one male with several females, or a group, to spread any mild aggression.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003ch2\u003eFeeding\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eA carnivore that feeds on zooplankton in the wild. In the aquarium offer a quality cichlid pellet alongside frozen foods such as brine shrimp, mysis and cyclops. As with other Rift Lake cichlids, avoid excessive high-protein mammalian foods; variety and moderation keep it healthy.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003ch2\u003eCare Requirements\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eProvide a minimum of around 250 L for a group, as this is an active open-water swimmer. Keep temperature at 24–28 °C, pH 7.8–8.6 and hard, alkaline water, around GH 10–25. Use open swimming space with rockwork retreats, sand substrate and strong filtration. It generally leaves plants alone, so hardy species such as Anubias and Vallisneria can be used.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003ch2\u003eBreeding\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eA maternal mouthbrooder. A displaying male entices a female to spawn over his territory, after which she holds the eggs and fry in her mouth for around three weeks until they are free-swimming. Broods are readily raised by moving the holding female to a separate tank or gently stripping the fry.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003ch2\u003eSpecies Information\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003ctable\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eScientific Name\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCopadichromis azureus\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCommon Name\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAzureus Cichlid\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eOrigin\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eLake Malawi, East Africa\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMaximum Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAround 15 cm (males); females smaller\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eLifespan\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e6–10 years with good care\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eTemperament\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMild (open-water shoaler)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDifficulty\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eIntermediate\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMinimum Tank Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e250 L\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eRecommended Tank Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e300 L or larger\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDiet\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCarnivore: cichlid pellets, frozen brine shrimp, mysis, cyclops\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eWater Temperature\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e24–28 °C\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003epH Range\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e7.8–8.6\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eGH Range\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eHard, around 10–25 dGH\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSalinity\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNot applicable (freshwater)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSuitable For\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eHard, alkaline Rift Lake (Malawi) aquariums\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eReef Safe\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNot applicable\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePlant Safe\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eYes (with hardy species such as Anubias and Vallisneria)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003c\/table\u003e \u003ch2\u003eSuitable Tank Mates\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eSuitable tank mates include peacocks (Aulonocara) and other peaceful Malawi haps of similar temperament. Keep one male to several females to reduce aggression.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003ch2\u003eAvoid Keeping With\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eAvoid keeping with aggressive mbuna, large predatory cichlids, and soft-water community fish that cannot handle hard, alkaline water. Avoid crowding several rival males in a small tank.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Nick's Aquarium Oceanarium Terrarium","offers":[{"title":"Small (1-5cm)","offer_id":55232779354403,"sku":"BA9210","price":22.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Medium (5-10cm)","offer_id":55232779387171,"sku":"AA2030","price":22.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Large (10-15cm)","offer_id":55232779419939,"sku":null,"price":27.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0972\/7236\/5347\/files\/Azureus_Cichlid_Copadichromis_azureus_2cc42c73-6250-4f45-9e0c-aaeb4b0e9dc7.jpg?v=1781446623","url":"https:\/\/nicksaquariumoceanariumterrarium.com.au\/products\/azureus-cichlid-copadichromis-azureus","provider":"Nicks Aquarium Oceanarium Terrarium","version":"1.0","type":"link"}