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Copadichromis virginalis "Chitimba"


Copadichromis virginalis is living in open water nearby intermediate zones from rocks to sand and can be found in entire Lake Malawi and also in Lake Malombe which is situated southern of Lake Malawi and is directly connected with it through the Shire River. These examples were caught in Chitimba Bay.


In Lake Malawi the males of these species can grow to 18 cm, in the aquarium however they can grow a little taller because of a good feeding. The males can then grow to about 20 cm, females grow to about 14 cm. The cichlid species which are found in Lake Malombe seems to stay smaller then in Lake Malawi and they seem to become sexually active earlier, probably this is because they live under pressure due to the overfishing in that lake.


Copadichromis virginalis is mainly living like similar species in open water where it`s feeding itself with plankton.
You can best keep this species with multiple females in a large tank with a lot of swimming space.


In the aquarium they are comfortable with any food. They take everything they get offered, like spirulina pellets, mysis, artemia, cyclops and shrimp-peas mix.