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💧 Freshwater Near Threatened 🍽️ Edible 🐠 Aquarium 🌡️ Tropical

aquarium

Copadichromis azureus Konings, 1990
Max Length
14.6 cm
Max Weight
-
Lifespan
-
Trophic Level
3.4
Depth
-
Climate
Tropical
Resilience
High
Vulnerability
16.00/100
Typical Length
-
Depth Zone
-

📖 Overview

Inhabits the sand/rock interface; territorial males defend their bower with a bowl in front of a spawning cave that spans about half a circle or less, about 19-33cm in diameter; females gather in small groups or are solitary, and feed from the plankton and benthic invertebrates near the bottom . Aquarium trade names: 'Haplochromis chrysonotus mbenji', 'Haplochromis chrysonotus maleri' .

Scientific Name
Copadichromis azureus
Authority
Konings, 1990
Habitat
Freshwater
Climate
Tropical
Body Shape
Fusiform / normal
IUCN Status
NT
Max Length
14.6 cm
Trophic Level
3.4
Resilience
High
Vulnerability
16.00/100
Salinity
0–0.5 ppt

🔬 Taxonomy

🐟 Physical Description

Dorsal spines (total): 15 - 18; Dorsal soft rays (total): 10 - 12; Anal spines: 3; Anal soft rays: 8 - 9. Diagnosis: 3 lateral spots on the body; supra-pectoral spot about 1.5 times the supra-anal spot; supra-pectoral spot separate from upper lateral line; supra-anal spot smaller than 2 scales; males in breeding coloration with blue breast, narrow yellow marginal band in anal fin and without spots or streaks in the anal fin . : fusiform / normal.

🌀 Behaviour

Behavioural data for aquarium is currently being reviewed.

🦐 Diet

aquatic invertebrates
small fish
algae
detritus

🥚 Reproduction

🐣 Oviparous 👄 Mouth Brooder 🛡️ Egg Guarder
Spawning Season
spring
Spawn Location
Substrate
Fertilization
External

🌍 Habitat & Distribution

Freshwater; benthopelagic, usually 19 - 25 m . Tropical; 12°S - 15°S south of Makanjila, on the eastern coast).

🌿 Ecology

Zone Preferences
💧 Freshwater
Trophic Level
3.4±0.45
🧍 Solitary

📐 Morphometrics

Length–Weight Relationship: W = 0.01445 × L2.99 (TL)
Max TL
14.6cm
Dorsal Spines
17
Dorsal Rays
11
Anal Spines
3
Anal Rays
9

🌡️ Water Parameters & Tolerance

Salinity Range
0–0.5ppt

🛡️ Conservation Assessment

IUCN Category
Near Threatened
Assessment Date
2018

📊 Population Risk & Fisheries

Population Resilience
High
Minimum doubling time
Fishing Vulnerability
16.00/100
Low vulnerability
Trophic Level
3.4
Predator
Body Shape
Fusiform / normal
Climate Zone
Tropical
Described By
Konings, 1990

🍽️ Edibility & Flavour

"aquarium is an edible species."

✗ Not for Raw
✓ Fresh Indicators
  • Clear, bright eyes — cloudy eyes indicate age
  • Firm flesh that springs back when pressed
  • Fresh ocean smell, never strong or ammonia-like
  • Bright red or pink gills, not grey or brown
  • Shiny, moist skin with scales tightly attached
✗ Avoid If
  • Cloudy or sunken eyes
  • Strong fishy or ammonia odour
  • Soft, mushy flesh that doesn't spring back
  • Discoloured or dry flesh
Best Cooking Methods
Baking Grilling Pan-frying

⚡ Nutrition

Detailed nutritional data for aquarium is currently being compiled from USDA FoodData Central.

🔬 Mercury Safety

Mercury data for aquarium has not yet been assigned. Please consult FDA/EPA guidance for general seafood safety advice.

🌿 Sustainability

Best Choice
Healthy stocks, low impact
Good Alternative
Well-managed, minor concerns
Use Caution
Check sourcing and season
Avoid
Overfished or high impact
✓ Sustainable Choice

🔬 Full Nutritional Profile

Per 100g - Raw, per 100g - Source: USDA FoodData Central templates (generic fish average)

Proximate Composition
Energy125 kcal
Moisture75 %
Protein20 %
Total Fat4 %
Ash1.3 %
Fatty Acids (g)
Saturated Fat1 g
Monounsaturated Fat1.2 g
Polyunsaturated Fat1.5 g
Omega-3 Total1 g
EPA0.3 g
DHA0.5 g
Omega-6 Total0.3 g
Key Minerals & Vitamins
Calcium20 mg
Iron0.7 mg
Magnesium30 mg
Phosphorus220 mg
Potassium380 mg
Sodium55 mg
Zinc0.5 mg
Selenium32 µg
Vitamin B122 µg

📊 Population Dynamics

Year Region Index Notes
- - -

🌐 Names & Taxonomy

Language Common Names
🇬🇧English Azureus Cichlid
🇫🇮Finnish siniutaka

🗺️ Global Occurrence Map

Occurrence records from the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) - 2 records indexed .

Occurrence density from GBIF View GBIF records ↗

👥 Community & Contribute

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