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💧 Freshwater Critically Endangered 🍽️ Edible 🌡️ Tropical

aquarium

Copadichromis nkatae Iles, 1960
Max Length
14.5 cm
Max Weight
Lifespan
Trophic Level
2.8
Depth
Climate
Tropical
Resilience
High
Vulnerability
16.00/100
Typical Length
Depth Zone

📖 Overview

Occurs around rocks and over sandy beaches and feeds mainly on zooplankton, but also takes phytoplankton .

Scientific Name
Copadichromis nkatae
Authority
Iles, 1960
Habitat
Freshwater
Climate
Tropical
IUCN Status
CR
Max Length
14.5 cm
Trophic Level
2.8
Resilience
High
Vulnerability
16.00/100
Salinity
0–0.5 ppt

🔬 Taxonomy

🐟 Physical Description

Physical description for aquarium is currently being compiled.

🌀 Behaviour

Behavioural data for aquarium is currently being reviewed.

🦐 Diet

Diet information for aquarium is currently being compiled.

🥚 Reproduction

Reproduction data for aquarium is currently being compiled.

🌍 Habitat & Distribution

Freshwater; benthopelagic. Tropical; 9°S - 15°S Endemic to Lake Malawi.

🌿 Ecology

Zone Preferences
💧 Freshwater
Trophic Level
2.8±0.32
Food Items

zooplankton, but also takes phytoplankton (Ref

📐 Morphometrics

Length–Weight Relationship: W = 0.01862 × L3.02 (TL)
Max TL
14.5cm

🌡️ Water Parameters & Tolerance

Salinity Range
0–0.5ppt

🛡️ Conservation Assessment

IUCN Category
Critically Endangered
Assessment Date
2018

📊 Population Risk & Fisheries

Population Resilience
High
Minimum doubling time
Fishing Vulnerability
16.00/100
Low vulnerability
Trophic Level
2.8
Omnivore / Planktivore
Climate Zone
Tropical
Described By
Iles, 1960

🍽️ 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

🌐 Names & Taxonomy

Language Common Names
🇫🇮Finnish valkoselkäutaka

Scientific Synonyms

Scientific Name Author Year Status
Cyrtocara nkatae Iles 1960 Synonym
Haplochromis nkatae Iles 1960 Synonym
Haplochromis nkhatae Iles 1960 Synonym

🗺️ Global Occurrence Map

Occurrence records from the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) — 4 records indexed .

Occurrence density from GBIF View GBIF records ↗

👥 Community & Contribute

Aquareap Community Observations
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View all observations for aquarium ↗
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