Erstbeschreibung als Copadichromis atripinnis:
ZooBank:CDA0D6C1-08AD-48AB-9639-EC2C6A444659.
- Stauffer, Jay Richard Jr. & T. Sato. 2002. "A new species of Copadichromis (Cichlidae) from Thumbi West Island, Lake Malawi". Ichthyological Explorations of Freshwaters. v. 13; n. 1; pp. 91-95 (crc00968)
Artenschutz: Copadichromis atripinnis wurde durch die Internationale Union für die Erhaltung der Natur (IUZN) in der Roten Liste bedrohter Arten bewertet als (LC) nicht gefährdet (2018). Copadichromis atripinnis and utaka in general are the hardest hit group of species that is currently being over-fished in Lake Malawi. 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. There are still good numbers of Copadichromis atripinnis around as they seem to prefer to stay relatively close to rocks where nets get snagged easily.