(105)Red Kadango 3in

The Red Kadango, or Red Fin Kadango Cichlid (Copadichromis borleyi), is a popular African cichlid from Lake Malawi. It is a desirable aquarium fish due to its relatively peaceful temperament, vibrant coloration, and open-water swimming habits

• Male: Develops a shimmering metallic blue head and body with vibrant orange-red highlights and fins.
• Female: Remains smaller and less colorful, typically a silver or beige color.
• Size: This species grows to about 6 to 8 inches in captivity. 

• Tank size: A minimum of a 75-gallon tank is recommended for a small group, with larger tanks being ideal for managing territorial aggression and providing ample swimming space.
• Substrate: A sand or fine gravel substrate is ideal.
• Filtration: A robust filtration system is essential to handle their bioload and maintain the high water quality they require.
• Water parameters:
  • Temperature: Maintain a stable temperature between 75 and 82°F (24–28°C).
  • pH: A high pH of 7.8–8.6 is necessary to replicate their native Lake Malawi habitat.
• Decorations: Aquascape with plenty of rocks, caves, and crevices to create territories and hiding places. Leave open swimming areas in the middle of the tank. 

• Omnivorous diet: The Red Kadango is an omnivore that, in the wild, feeds on zooplankton.
• Food types: In the aquarium, provide a varied diet of high-quality cichlid flakes or pellets. Supplement with small portions of foods that mimic zooplankton, such as brine shrimp, mysis shrimp, and cyclops.
• Feeding schedule: Feed once or twice daily, ensuring all food is consumed within a few minutes. 

• Semi-aggressive: Red Kadangos are generally peaceful compared to other African cichlids, but males can be territorial, especially when breeding.
• Social dynamics: It is best to keep one male with several females to disperse aggression.
• Tank mates: They are best kept with other similarly sized and tempered African cichlids from Lake Malawi, such as other haps and peacocks. Avoid highly aggressive mbunas. 

• Maternal mouthbrooders: Like other peacocks and haps, the female carries the fertilized eggs and fry in her mouth for protection, usually for about 3 to 4 weeks.
• Spawning behavior: Males will dig a small pit or clean a flat rock surface to entice females to spawn.
• Raising fry: To protect the fry, you can move a holding female to a nursery tank, as the fry are large enough to accept finely crushed flake food or newly hatched brine shrimp when they are released