Copadichromis geertsi Konings, 1999

Conservación: Copadichromis geertsi es evaluada por la Unión Internacional para la Conservación de la Naturaleza en la lista roja de especies amenazadas como (VU) Vulnerable (2006). Copadichromis geertsi and utaka in general are the hardest hit group of species that has been over-fished in Lake Malawi and populations of most species have dwindled in size by more than 95% over last few decades. Because of the fact that they feed in the water column away from rocks, fishermen can scoop large numbers effectively with their so-called Chirimila nets. Copadichromis geertsi still occurs in reasonable numbers as they normally stay at rather deep levels and close to rocky habitat where nets get snagged easily. The most important threat to the existence of this cichlid is collection by the ornamental fish trade. This species is one of the most beautiful utaka, but fortunately very difficult to collect when mature because of the depths at which both male and female occur.