Red Fin Kadango - (No Online Purchases)

Name: Red Fin Kadango Cichlid

Scientific Name: Copadichromis borleyi

Description: A striking African cichlid known for its vibrant colouration and impressive adult size. Mature males typically develop a beautiful metallic blue head and body with contrasting red to orange fins, while females and juveniles display more subdued silver-grey colouration with reddish fins. Red Fin Kadango are active, open-water swimmers and make an attractive addition to larger Lake Malawi cichlid aquariums.

Origin: Lake Malawi, East Africa, particularly around rocky coastal areas. The Kadango variety originates from the Kadango region of Lake Malawi.

pH: Approximately 7.8–8.6

Temperature: Around 24–28°C

Adult Size: Males approximately 15–20 cm; females generally 12–15 cm.

Lifespan: 7–10 years with proper care.

Food: Omnivorous with a primarily plankton-based diet in the wild. Feed quality African cichlid pellets, spirulina flakes and occasional frozen foods such as brine shrimp, mysis shrimp and daphnia. Provide a varied diet and avoid excessive fatty or protein-rich foods.

Compatibility: Generally peaceful to moderately territorial compared with many other Lake Malawi cichlids. Best kept with similarly sized, relatively peaceful Malawi species such as suitable Peacocks and Haps. Avoid highly aggressive Mbuna and small community fish. Males may become territorial during breeding. Keeping one male with several females is recommended to reduce aggression.

Habitat: A spacious, well-filtered African cichlid aquarium with plenty of open swimming space, rock formations and caves for shelter. Prefers hard, alkaline water with stable parameters, good oxygenation and moderate water movement. Sand or fine gravel substrate is ideal.