Three new species of the cichlid fish genus Copadichromis Eccles and Trewavas
(Teleostei: Cichlidae) from Lake Malawi are described. The new species superficially
resemble Copadichromis eucinostomus but are clearly distinguished by overall shape
and meristic characters. The C. eucinostomus group is comprised of seven phenetically
similar species, which lack lateral spots, have a silver lateral ground color with faint bars
appearing in some individuals, and have 19 or fewer gill rakers on the outer ceratobranchial.
Overall body shape, meristic characters, coloration, and behavior distinguish the three new
species from each other. It is recommended that the name C. eucinostomus be restricted
to the two original syntypes, now designated as a lectotype and paralectotype and cataloged
into the Natural History Museum, London (BMNH.1921.9.6.191-192).