Copadichromis pleurostigmoides is a species of haplochromine cichlid which is endemic to Lake Malawi. It is found throughout the lake in Malawi, Mozambique, and Tanzania. This species is found inshore in both rocky and sandy areas. It breeds from April to August when the males defend spawning sites situated on top of flat rocks at depths of NaNm (-2,147,483,648feet) in sediment rich areas of mixed rocks and soft substrates.