Lake Malawi utaka

Copadichromis virginalis

Cichlid Reaching Thirteen Point Two Centimeters

Tropical
Local endemic species
Single-lake endemic
Freshwater fish
Africa
Fusiform
Small
Tropical fish

Copadichromis virginalis is a species of haplochromine cichlid, which is endemic to Lake Malawi the upper Shire River and to Lake Malombe. It is found in Malawi, Mozambique, and Tanzania. The population has shown signs of a severe decline and is under pressure from overfishing for food, in 2018 this led to the IUCN changing its status from Data Deficient to Near Threatened.

Class: Teleosts
Order: Cichlids and Allies
Family: Cichlidae
Genus: Copadichromis
Maximum length: 13.2 cm
Water: Freshwater
Body shape: fusiform
Distribution: Africa: Endemic to the north end of Lake Malawi.
Conservation status: NTNear Threatened

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