Native to Lake Malawi’s rocky shores and open waters, the Red Fin Kadango (Copadichromis borleyi) captivates with males displaying a brilliant blue head, metallic body, and fiery orange-red fins—colors that intensify during courtship. Females and juveniles show subtler orange fins with a silver body, reaching 15-18cm in adulthood. As a maternal mouthbrooder, the female holds eggs in her mouth for 3 weeks, making breeding observable and rewarding for novices.

Observe the elegant profile of this Red Fin Kadango against a rocky backdrop, mimicking its Lake Malawi habitat.

Aquarium Setup

Provide a spacious tank of at least 300 liters (ideally 75+ gallons for a harem) with a sandy substrate for digging, rock piles for hiding and spawning, and open swimming areas to suit its active, schooling nature. Strong filtration, weekly 20-30% water changes, and low nitrates (<30ppm) are essential to replicate the hard, alkaline rift lake conditions. Hardy plants like Anubias or Vallisneria can be added but won’t be uprooted.

Water and Feeding

This specimen highlights the red fins that give the Kadango its name, thriving in a well-structured tank.

Compatibility and Breeding

One of the less aggressive Malawi haps, it’s suitable for community tanks with similar-sized, peaceful cichlids like other utakas or haps—avoid mbuna or aggressive species. Keep in harems to reduce male aggression; breeding occurs on flat rocks where females mouthbrood 20-60 fry, released after 3 weeks and raised on baby brine shrimp.