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: 42 gal (160 L)
Temperament: Mostly peaceful
Social behavior: Social
Swim level: Middle
Difficulty: Easy
Breeding: Easy
Rarity: Common
Origin: Lake Malawi
Family: Cichlidae

Overview

One of the calmer mbuna, though it still defends territory and the label aggressive fits during breeding. Keep it in a group in at least 160 liters, ideally one male with several females, with plenty of rock cover. It grazes in nature, so feed algae and spirulina-based foods alongside quality pellets, with the occasional brine shrimp or bloodworms. It can share a tank with other mbuna of similar temperament.

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 is hard, alkaline, and clear with little plant growth. Match that with a rockwork tank full of caves and hiding spots, hard water, and a pH around 7.5 to 8.5 in the mid to high 20s C. Open lanes between the rocks help reduce squabbling.

Good to know

This is a mbuna cichlid in the family Cichlidae, reaching about 12 cm, with a bright yellow body and black edging on the fins. It is a maternal mouthbrooder, and the female holds eggs and fry in her mouth. Compared with most mbuna it breeds readily, which makes it one of the easier Malawi cichlids to raise.

Did you know

The bright yellow color holds up well even on a mostly vegetable diet, which is unusual since many fish need carotenoid-rich meaty foods to keep their reds and oranges. This is a big reason it stays such a clean yellow in home tanks.