Copadichromis quadrimaculatus

Taxonomy

Assessment Information

Geographic Range

Population

Habitat and Ecology

Threats

Conservation Actions

Bibliography

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Taxonomy [top]

Kingdom	Phylum	Class	Order	Family
ANIMALIA	CHORDATA	ACTINOPTERYGII	PERCIFORMES	CICHLIDAE

Scientific Name:	Copadichromis quadrimaculatus
Species Authority:	(Regan, 1922)
Taxonomic Notes:	This species shows variation in morphology and colouration (especially females), suggesting that there may be more than one species — it is probably a species complex.

Assessment Information [top]

Red List Category & Criteria:	Least Concern ver 3.1
Year Published:	2006
Assessor/s:	Kazembe, J., Makocho, P. & Mailosi, A.
Reviewer/s:	Snoeks, J. (Freshwater Fish Red List Authority) & Darwall, W. (Freshwater Biodiversity Assessment Programme)
Justification: Endemic to Lake Malawi. Widespread distribution with no major widespread threats identified.

Geographic Range [top]

Range Description:	Endemic to Lake Malawi with a lake wide distribution.
Countries:	Native: Malawi; Mozambique; Tanzania, United Republic of
Range Map:	Click here to open the map viewer and explore range.

Population [top]

Population:	This is the most abundant 'utaka' in the lake.
Population Trend:	Unknown

Habitat and Ecology [top]

Habitat and Ecology:	Mainly a rock dwelling species, found at depths down to 75 m. Common in shallower water of about 18 m. Breeding adults are caught inshore close to rocks. Breeding males hold territories on rocks at depths varying between 20–50 m. It is mainly zooplanktivorous although it is reported to sometimes feed on small fishes. Females spawn only once during the breeding season gathering in separate schools after spawning and moving closer inshore in rocky habitat. The fry are released in very shallow water. This species has been recorded in the middle of the lake off Nkhata Bay. It is the only utaka that is a true open water species for part of its life history. The adults, when at least three years old, are reported to leave the pelagic school in May and breed inshore until August. It is one of the most economically important 'utaka' in the lake. In the northern part of the lake it is the basis of a seasonal fishery from April to July. Caught in chilimira nets, gill nets and in trawls.
Systems:	Freshwater

Habitat and Ecology:

Mainly a rock dwelling species, found at depths down to 75 m. Common in shallower water of about 18 m. Breeding adults are caught inshore close to rocks. Breeding males hold territories on rocks at depths varying between 20–50 m. It is mainly zooplanktivorous although it is reported to sometimes feed on small fishes. Females spawn only once during the breeding season gathering in separate schools after spawning and moving closer inshore in rocky habitat. The fry are released in very shallow water. This species has been recorded in the middle of the lake off Nkhata Bay. It is the only utaka that is a true open water species for part of its life history. The adults, when at least three years old, are reported to leave the pelagic school in May and breed inshore until August. It is one of the most economically important 'utaka' in the lake. In the northern part of the lake it is the basis of a seasonal fishery from April to July. Caught in chilimira nets, gill nets and in trawls.

Systems:

Freshwater

Threats [top]

Major Threat(s):	None known.

Major Threat(s):

None known.

Conservation Actions [top]

Conservation Actions:	No information available.

Conservation Actions:

No information available.

Bibliography [top]

	Allison, E.H., Thompson, A.B., Ngatunga, B.P. and Irvine, K. 1995. The diet and food consumption rates of the offshore fish. In: A. Menz (ed.). Fishery potential and productivity of the pelagic zone of Lake Malawi/Nyasa. pp. 233–278. Natural Resources Institute, Chatham, Kent, United Kingdom. Eccles, D.H. and Trewavas, E. 1989. Malawian cichlid fishes. The classification of some Haplochromine genera. Lake Fish Movies, Herten, Germany. Iles, T.D. 1960. A group of zooplankton feeders of the genus Haplochromis (Cichlidae) in Lake Nyasa Annals and Magazine of Natural History (13)2: 257–280 IUCN. 2006. 2006 IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. www.iucnredlist.org. Downloaded on 04 May 2006. Konings, A. 1995. Malawi Cichlids in their Natural Habitat. Second Edition. Cichlid Press, St. Leon-Rot, Germany. Turner, G. 1995. Offshore Cichlids of Lake Malawi. Cichlid Press, Lauenau, Germany.

Allison, E.H., Thompson, A.B., Ngatunga, B.P. and Irvine, K. 1995. The diet and food consumption rates of the offshore fish. In: A. Menz (ed.). Fishery potential and productivity of the pelagic zone of Lake Malawi/Nyasa. pp. 233–278. Natural Resources Institute, Chatham, Kent, United Kingdom.

Eccles, D.H. and Trewavas, E. 1989. Malawian cichlid fishes. The classification of some Haplochromine genera. Lake Fish Movies, Herten, Germany.

Iles, T.D. 1960. A group of zooplankton feeders of the genus Haplochromis (Cichlidae) in Lake Nyasa Annals and Magazine of Natural History (13)2: 257–280

IUCN. 2006. 2006 IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. www.iucnredlist.org. Downloaded on 04 May 2006.

Konings, A. 1995. Malawi Cichlids in their Natural Habitat. Second Edition. Cichlid Press, St. Leon-Rot, Germany.

Turner, G. 1995. Offshore Cichlids of Lake Malawi. Cichlid Press, Lauenau, Germany.

Citation:	Kazembe, J., Makocho, P. & Mailosi, A. 2006. Copadichromis quadrimaculatus. In: IUCN 2011. IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2011.2. <www.iucnredlist.org>. Downloaded on 25 May 2012.
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