Electric Yellow Lab
Labidochromis caeruleus
Cichlidae
About
The electric yellow lab is arguably the most peaceful and popular of the Lake Malawi mbuna, blazing a solid lemon yellow with contrasting black fin edges. Endemic to the rocky shores of Lake Malawi, it lives in hard, alkaline water and grazes aufwuchs from boulders. Far milder than most mbuna, it still needs the classic Rift Lake setup: rockwork, higher pH and hardness, and management of its aggression in a colony.
Care
Keep in hard, alkaline water (pH 7.8-8.4) with abundant rockwork in a tank of 200 L or more. Best in a harem of one male with several females; peaceful for an mbuna but still territorial around rocks.
Diet
Herbivore-leaning omnivore; feed vegetable- and spirulina-based cichlid foods. Limit high-protein foods to avoid Malawi bloat.
Tankmate compatibility
Possible with care (143)
Avoid (128)
Computed by the AquaSage engine for a spacious reference tank — always check the full verdict for your exact setup in the calculator.
Telling males from females
What works for this species, most reliable first.
- VentingStrong · only on a mature fish, easiest when she is in breeding condition
The method breeders use when the answer has to be right. Hold the fish upside down in a wet hand or soft net and look at the two openings ahead of the anal fin. The forward one is the anus; the one behind it is what you are reading.
- Egg spotsA hint only · from about 6 months
The yellow or orange ocelli on the anal fin of Malawi cichlids, traditionally explained as a lure that draws the female into mouthing them, fertilising the eggs she is already holding.
- Adult sizeA hint only · only across animals of the same age
In many cichlids, catfish and loaches one sex simply grows larger — usually the male, though there are well-known reversals.
Also in these lists
Frequently asked questions
- What tank size does a Electric Yellow Lab need?
- A Electric Yellow Lab needs an aquarium of at least 200 litres (52.8 US gallons) with a footprint at least 100 cm (39.4 in) long — for this species, swimming length matters as much as raw volume.
- What water parameters does a Electric Yellow Lab need?
- Electric Yellow Lab does best at 23–28 °C (73.4–82.4 °F), pH 7.6–8.8 and a general hardness of 10–25 °dGH.
- What group size does a Electric Yellow Lab need?
- Electric Yellow Lab is a social species — keep a group of at least 4 so natural behaviour emerges and stress stays low.
- Is the Electric Yellow Lab suitable for beginners?
- Yes — Electric Yellow Lab is one of the easier species to keep and forgives typical first-tank mistakes, as long as the aquarium is cycled and maintained.