Electric yellow cichlid
Labidochromis caeruleus
FreshwaterFish
Care at a glance
- Temperature
- 75–82°F
- 24–28°C
- pH
- 7.5–8.5
- Adult size
- 4.7 in
- 12 cm
- Minimum tank
- 35 gal
- 134 L
- Temperament
- Mostly peaceful
- Social behavior
- Social
- Swim level
- Middle
- Diet
- Omnivore
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Breeding
- Mouthbrooder · Easy
- Rarity
- Common
- Family
- Cichlidae
- Origin
- Lake Malawi
Overview
The electric yellow cichlid is a mostly peaceful mbuna for a rock-filled Malawi tank. It swims in the middle of the water and is easy to keep.
Did you know
The electric yellow cichlid holds its bright yellow color well, even on a mostly vegetable diet. That is unusual, since many fish need carotenoid-rich meaty foods to keep their reds and oranges. It is a big reason the fish stays such a clean yellow in home tanks.
Caring for the electric yellow cichlid
Keep electric yellow cichlids in a group in at least 35 gal (134 L), ideally one male with several females. Build a rockwork tank full of caves and hiding spots, with open lanes between the rocks to help reduce squabbling.
Give them hard, alkaline water at 75 to 82°F (24 to 28°C) and a pH of 7.5 to 8.5. Feed algae and spirulina-based foods alongside quality pellets, with the occasional brine shrimp or bloodworms.
Electric yellow cichlids are among the calmer mbuna, though they still defend territory and can turn aggressive during breeding. They can share a tank with other mbuna of similar temperament.
They are maternal mouthbrooders, so the female holds the eggs and fry in her mouth. Compared with most mbuna they breed readily, which makes them one of the easier Malawi cichlids to raise.
Good to know
The electric yellow cichlid, Labidochromis caeruleus, is a mbuna in the family Cichlidae. Adults have a yellow body with black edging on the fins.
In the wild
Electric yellow cichlids live along the rocky shores of Lake Malawi, sheltering in crevices and grazing the algae film on the rocks. The water there is hard, alkaline and clear, with little plant growth.
Weekly picks
Tank mates
The electric yellow cichlid is a mostly peaceful, social species that keeps to the middle. These picks share a community profile with it, are safe together in both directions, and overlap on water type, temperature and pH.
Common questions
What size tank does an electric yellow cichlid need?
An electric yellow cichlid needs at least 35 gal (134 L). It spends most of its time in the middle.
What temperature and pH does an electric yellow cichlid need?
An electric yellow cichlid is comfortable at 75–82°F (24–28°C) with a pH of 7.5–8.5.
What does an electric yellow cichlid eat?
An electric yellow cichlid eats algae and spirulina-based foods alongside quality pellets. Give it the occasional brine shrimp or bloodworms as well.
How big does an electric yellow cichlid get?
An adult electric yellow cichlid reaches about 4.7 in (12 cm).
How does an electric yellow cichlid breed?
Electric yellow cichlids are maternal mouthbrooders, and the female carries the eggs and fry in her mouth. They breed readily for a mbuna, so breeding them is easy.
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