Cichlid
Care basics
Electric yellow labs are bright yellow mbuna with black on the fins. They are hardy, easy to find and less aggressive than most rock dwelling Malawi cichlids.
Keep them in a rocky tank with plenty of caves and stable, hard water. Labs mix well with other mbuna, and females carry eggs in their mouths, so expect fry if you keep a group.
Quick facts
| Scientific name | Labidochromis caeruleus |
|---|---|
| Group | African |
| Native to | Lake Malawi, East Africa |
| Adult size | About 3 to 4 inches |
| Tank size | 55 gallons or more for a mixed mbuna tank |
| Temperature | 76 to 82 F |
| pH | 7.8 to 8.6, hard water |
| Diet | Omnivore. A quality pellet with some vegetable content. Avoid heavy red meat foods |
| Temperament | One of the calmest mbuna, which makes it a favorite first African cichlid. |
Good tank mates
Other mbuna such as rusty cichlids and acei, synodontis catfish. Always match size, temperament and water needs, and add new fish to a cycled tank after quarantine.
Sizes and ranges are typical hobby figures. Individual fish vary. Questions about your tank? Ask us.
