fish · Cichlidae
Borleyi hap
Copadichromis borleyi
Wild range: Endemic to Lake Malawi (Malawi / Mozambique / Tanzania shoreline); type locality Nkhata Bay; widespread including Kadango, Mbenji Island, Boadzulu, and many rocky reefs (Africa)
At a glance: Borleyi hap care
Compiled reference information. Review the care notes and original sources below.
What temperature is listed for Borleyi hap?
The compiled profile lists 24.0–28.0 °C for Borleyi hap (Copadichromis borleyi). Check the original sources below for context and differing recommendations.
What tank size is listed for Borleyi hap?
The profile lists a minimum tank volume of 75.0 US gallons (284.0 liters). Volume alone does not establish suitability; consider dimensions, group size and other inhabitants alongside the full care notes.
What pH is listed for Borleyi hap?
The compiled profile lists a pH of 7.5–8.5. Review the cited care sources alongside the other water parameters in this profile.
Natural habitat
Utaka (open-water) haplochromine of Lake Malawi; shoals in midwater over rocky shores and isolated boulders at roughly 5–20 m, facing current to pick zooplankton with a protrusible mouth; males defend spawning sites on large boulder faces or small sand bowers atop rocks (Seriously Fish, FishBase, AquaInfo).
Where they are found
Catalog primary locked as Copadichromis borleyi (Iles, 1960) per trade, ITIS TSN 648992 (valid), FishBase SpecCode 2312, Eschmeyer’s Catalog of Fishes (Current status Valid as Copadichromis borleyi (Iles 1960); originally Haplochromis borleyi Iles 1960; type locality Nkhata Bay, Lake Malawi; CoF spid 24978; Cichlidae: Pseudocrenilabrinae), GBIF accepted, and IUCN Least Concern (Konings, Kazembe, Makocho & Mailosi 2018; assessment 2018-06-22; taxon 60860 / e.T60860A47218899). Historical synonyms: Haplochromis borleyi Iles, 1960; Cyrtocara borleyi. Trade/common names: Borleyi hap, Redfin hap, Goldfin hap, Red Kadango, Haplochromis Red Kadango (invalid trade label), Kadango — locale morphs (Kadango red-fin vs yellow-fin and other localities) are the same species and should not be mixed (hybridize with other Copadichromis). Order locked Cichliformes to match sibling cichlid catalog rows (ITIS still lists Perciformes historically).
Aquarium care
Intermediate Lake Malawi utaka hap for a mature hard-alkaline setup with open midwater swimming lanes (Seriously Fish, AquaInfo, aqua-fish.net, B-Aqua, FishBase). Lock ≥75 US gal / ~284 L with a long footprint for a harem (SF base 150×45 cm / ~304 L ≈80 US gal; AquaInfo min length 150 cm; aqua-fish.net ~300 L / 120 cm; Connect Fish Friends practical 75 gal for a group — locked 75 US gal / 284 L harem floor; prefer 80+ gal / ≥150 cm when possible). Sand substrate, rock piles for retreats and spawning sites, large open midwater; hardy alkaline-tolerant plants (Vallisneria, Anubias, Sagittaria) optional — will not typically shred plants. Water: locked 24–28°C, pH 7.5–8.5, GH 10–25 (SF 25–29 / 7.5–8.5 / 10–25; FishBase 24–26 / 8.0–8.5 / dH ≥15; AquaInfo prose 24–26 / pH ~8 / GH 12–16, table 22–26 / 7.5–8.5 / 12–16; B-Aqua 24–27 / 7.5–8.5 / 10–25; aqua-fish.net 24–27 / 8.0–8.5 / 12–15 — locked overlapping practical Malawi band; SF upper 29°C noted but not required). Strong filtration, high dissolved oxygen, and regular water changes — nitrite-sensitive (AquaInfo, FishProfiles). Keep one male with ≥3–4 females; multiple males only in very large multi-territory tanks. Do not mix with other Copadichromis (hybridize) or aggressive mbuna.
Feeding
Specialized zooplankton / midwater feeder in the wild (FishBase, Seriously Fish). In aquaria takes quality Malawi cichlid flakes/granules plus small frozen/live foods that mimic zooplankton (Artemia, daphnia, cyclops, mysis, krill micro, white mosquito larvae) and some vegetable matter / spirulina for color and gut health (Seriously Fish, AquaInfo, aqua-fish.net). Feed modest portions 1–2× daily; avoid fatty mammalian meats and overfeeding (Malawi bloat risk).
Compatibility
Among the milder Malawi haps — generally peaceful toward dissimilar tankmates but males are territorial when breeding (Seriously Fish, AquaInfo, aqua-fish.net). Best with peaceful Malawi haps and peacock cichlids (Aulonocara, Cyrtocara moorii, other non-mbuna haps) and Synodontis that tolerate high pH. Avoid aggressive mbuna, similarly colored rival males in small tanks, and other Copadichromis (hybridize). Not communitysafe for soft-water community fish and not nanook at the 75 gal harem floor. One mature male per typical tank.
Breeding
Readily bred maternal mouthbrooder (Seriously Fish, AquaInfo, aqua-fish.net). Best as a harem of one male with ≥3–4 females so no single female is harassed. Male courts on a flat rock face or small sand clearing; female lays and immediately mouthbroods ~20–60 eggs for ~3–4 weeks, then releases free-swimming fry and may guard briefly. Target spawn water ~pH 8.0–8.5 and ~25–27°C (SF). Fry accept Artemia nauplii and crushed dry foods from release. Stressed holding females may spit or eat the brood — move carefully or wait; artificial stripping at ~2 weeks is expert-only (SF).
Sources
Compiled from multiple independent care sheets — not copied from a single site.