Copadichromis is a genus

Genus

In biology, a genus is a low-level taxonomic rank used in the biological classification of living and fossil organisms, which is an example of definition by genus and differentia...

 of haplochromine

Haplochromine

The haplochromine cichlids are a tribe of cichlids in subfamily Pseudocrenilabrinae called Haplochromini. This group includes the type genus plus a number of closely related genera such as Aulonocara, Astatotilapia, and Chilotilapia. They are endemic to eastern and southern Africa...

 cichlid

Cichlid

Cichlids are fishes from the family Cichlidae in the order Perciformes. Cichlids are members of a group known as the Labroidei along with the wrasses , damselfish , and surfperches . This family is both large and diverse. At least 1,300 species have been scientifically described, making it one of...

s endemic to Lake Malawi

Lake Malawi

Lake Malawi , is an African Great Lake and the southernmost lake in the Great Rift Valley system of East Africa. This lake, the third largest in Africa and the eighth largest lake in the world, is located between Malawi, Mozambique, and Tanzania...

 in Eastern Africa. Many Copadichromis species

Species

In biology, a species is one of the basic units of biological classification and a taxonomic rank. A species is often defined as a group of organisms capable of interbreeding and producing fertile offspring. While in many cases this definition is adequate, more precise or differing measures are...

 are popular with aquarists who keep mbuna

Mbuna

Mbuna is the common name for a large group of African cichlids from Lake Malawi. The name mbuna means "rockfish" in the language of the Tonga people of Malawi...

 (Lake Malawi cichlids), as this genus is relatively peaceful in captivity.

Species

The genus contains 25 formally described species

Species

In biology, a species is one of the basic units of biological classification and a taxonomic rank. A species is often defined as a group of organisms capable of interbreeding and producing fertile offspring. While in many cases this definition is adequate, more precise or differing measures are...

:

• Copadichromis atripinnis
  Copadichromis atripinnis
  Copadichromis atripinnis is a species of fish in the Cichlidae family. It is endemic to Malawi. Its natural habitat is freshwater lakes.-Source:* Kasembe, J. 2005. . Downloaded on 4 August 2007....
  
  
• Copadichromis azureus
  Copadichromis azureus
  Copadichromis azureus is a species of fish in the Cichlidae family. It is endemic to Malawi. Its natural habitat is freshwater lakes.-References:* Detailed profile including tank setup, feeding and husbandry....
  
  
• Copadichromis borleyi
  Copadichromis borleyi
  Copadichromis borleyi is a species of cichlid fish endemic to Lake Malawi in East Africa. The species is popular in the fishkeeping hobby where it is frequently kept in aquariums. The species has numerous common names used in the ornamental fish trade including: Redfin Hap and Goldfin...
  
  – Redfin Hap, Goldfin Hap
• Copadichromis chizumuluensis Stauffer & Konings, 2006
• Copadichromis chrysonotus
  Copadichromis chrysonotus
  Copadichromis chrysonotus is a species of fish in the Cichlidae family. It is found in Malawi, Mozambique, and Tanzania. Its natural habitat is freshwater lakes.-References:...
  
  
• Copadichromis cyaneus
  Copadichromis cyaneus
  Copadichromis cyaneus is a species of fish in the Cichlidae family. It is found in Malawi, Mozambique, and Tanzania. Its natural habitat is freshwater lakes.-References:* Kazembe, J., Makocho, P. & Mailosi, A. 2005. . Downloaded on 4 August 2007....
  
  
• Copadichromis cyanocephalus Stauffer & Konings, 2006
• Copadichromis diplostigma Stauffer & Konings, 2006
• Copadichromis geertsi
  Copadichromis geertsi
  Copadichromis geertsi is a species of fish in the Cichlidae family. It is found in Malawi and Mozambique. Its natural habitat is freshwater lakes.-Source:* Kazembe, J., Makocho, P. & Mailosi, A. 2005. . Downloaded on 4 August 2007....
  
  
• Copadichromis ilesi
  Copadichromis ilesi
  Copadichromis ilesi is a species of fish in the Cichlidae family. It is found in Malawi and Tanzania. Its natural habitat is freshwater lakes.-References:* Kazembe, J., Makocho, P. & Mailosi, A. 2005. . Downloaded on 4 August 2007....
  
  
• Copadichromis insularis Stauffer & Konings, 2006
• Copadichromis jacksoni
  Copadichromis jacksoni
  Copadichromis jacksoni is a species of fish in the Cichlidae family. It is found in Malawi, Mozambique, and Tanzania. Its natural habitat is freshwater lakes.-References:...
  
  
• Copadichromis likomae
  Copadichromis likomae
  Copadichromis likomae is a species of fish in the Cichlidae family. It is found in Malawi, Mozambique, and Tanzania. Its natural habitat is freshwater lakes.-References:* Kazembe, J., Makocho, P. & Mailosi, A. 2005. . Downloaded on 4 August 2007....
  
  
• Copadichromis mbenjii Konings, 1990 – Quads Hap
• Copadichromis melas Stauffer & Konings, 2006
• Copadichromis mloto
  Copadichromis mloto
  Copadichromis mloto is a species of fish in the Cichlidae family. It is endemic to Malawi. Its natural habitat is freshwater lakes.-References:* Kazembe, J., Makocho, P. & Mailosi, A. 2005. . Downloaded on 4 August 2007....
  
  
• Copadichromis nkatae
  Copadichromis nkatae
  Copadichromis nkatae is a species of fish in the Cichlidae family. It is endemic to Malawi. Its natural habitat is freshwater lakes.-Source:* Kazembe, J. & Makocho, P. 2005. . Downloaded on 4 August 2007....
  
  
• Copadichromis parvus Stauffer & Konings, 2006
• Copadichromis pleurostigma
  Copadichromis pleurostigma
  Copadichromis pleurostigma is a species of fish in the Cichlidae family. It is found in Malawi, Mozambique, and Tanzania. Its natural habitat is intermittent freshwater lakes.-References:...
  
  
• Copadichromis pleurostigmoides
  Copadichromis pleurostigmoides
  Copadichromis pleurostigmoides is a species of fish in the Cichlidae family. It is found in Malawi, Mozambique, and Tanzania. Its natural habitat is freshwater lakes.-References:...
  
  
• Copadichromis quadrimaculatus
  Copadichromis quadrimaculatus
  Copadichromis quadrimaculatus is a species of fish in the Cichlidae family. It is found in Malawi, Mozambique, and Tanzania. Its natural habitat is freshwater lakes.-References:...
  
  
• Copadichromis trewavasae
  Copadichromis trewavasae
  Copadichromis trewavasae is a species of fish in the Cichlidae family. This species of Copadichromis is named after noted ichthyologist Ethelwynn Trewavas.It is found in Malawi, Mozambique, and Tanzania. Its natural habitat is freshwater lakes....
  
  
• Copadichromis trimaculatus – Verduya's Hap
  Verduya's hap
  Verduya's hap is a species of fish in the Cichlidae family. It is found in Malawi, Mozambique, and Tanzania. Its natural habitat is freshwater lakes.-References:...
  
  
• Copadichromis verduyni
  Copadichromis verduyni
  Copadichromis verduyni is a species of fish in the Cichlidae family. It is found in Malawi and Mozambique. Its natural habitat is freshwater lakes.-References:* Kazembe, J., Makocho, P. & Mailosi, A. 2005. . Downloaded on 4 August 2007....
  
  
• Copadichromis virginalis
  Copadichromis virginalis
  Copadichromis virginalis is a species of fish in the Cichlidae family. It is found in Malawi, Mozambique, and Tanzania. Its natural habitat is freshwater lakes.-References:...
  
  

In addition, several local populations are known. Most are probably colour morphs or at best subspecies

Subspecies

Subspecies in biological classification, is either a taxonomic rank subordinate to species, ora taxonomic unit in that rank . A subspecies cannot be recognized in isolation: a species will either be recognized as having no subspecies at all or two or more, never just one...

. But some seem to be distinct species, such as:

• Copadichromis sp. 'Virginalis Kajose'