Zimbawe Rocks
Zimbabwe Rocks (Copadichromis cyaneus) is a beautiful open-water haplochromine from Lake Malawi named for its collection locality. Males develop vivid metallic blue coloration covering the entire body — a clean, uniform blue that intensifies dramatically in dominant displaying males. A relatively peaceful Malawi cichlid.
Feeding & Care Tip: Hikari Cichlid Bio-Gold is the ideal staple — Hikari Micro Pellets as backup. Supplement 2–3× per week with Hikari Frozen or Freeze-Dried Baby Brine Shrimp. Feed in open water — this species feeds on zooplankton in the water column rather than from the substrate.
Lake Malawi is a large, deep, alkaline lake with remarkably stable water chemistry. Hard, alkaline water with excellent filtration and regular water changes are essential. Crushed coral or aragonite substrate helps maintain the required pH and hardness. Provide plenty of rockwork to create territories and sight-breaks — this significantly reduces aggression by giving subordinate fish refuge from dominant males.
Keep one male with multiple females. Males are competitive with conspecifics but generally peaceful with other species. Mixes well with Aulonocara peacocks and other open-water haplochromines.
Native to open water over sandy areas near the Zimbabwe Rocks on the southeastern arm of Lake Malawi. This species feeds on zooplankton in the open water column — quite different from the rock-scraping mbuna. The uniform metallic blue coloration of dominant males is stunning under good aquarium lighting.
Care & Ideal Parameters
| Difficulty | Moderate |
| Temperament | Peaceful — open water haplochromine |
| Typical Adult Size | 5.5 inches (14 cm) |
| Min. Group Size | 1 male to 2+ females |
| Ideal Temp | 76–82°F (24–28°C) |
| Ideal pH | 7.8–8.5 |
| Ideal GH | 10–20 dGH |
| Ideal KH | 6–12 dKH |
| Staple Food | Hikari Cichlid Bio-Gold; Hikari Micro Pellets (backup) |
| Treat / Supplement | Hikari Frozen or Freeze-Dried Baby Brine Shrimp |
| Origin | Zimbabwe Rocks, southeastern Lake Malawi |
| Notes | Open-water zooplankton feeder — prefers feeding in water column. Uniform metallic blue male coloration. Mouthbrooder. |
