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Fish

Electric yellow cichlid

Labidochromis caeruleus
French name : Labido jaune

The electric yellow cichlid is a mbuna cichlid of the family Cichlidae, endemic to Lake Malawi in East Africa. It is prized for its brilliant lemon-yellow body offset by a bold black stripe running through the dorsal fin, making it one of the most recognizable Rift Lake fish. Compared with most mbuna it is relatively mild-mannered, though still territorial, and does best in groups with one male to several females. It occupies rocky habitats and defends small territories among the crevices. A tank with abundant rockwork, hard alkaline water, and open swimming space suits it. It accepts quality cichlid pellets, spirulina, and frozen foods, but too much protein can cause bloat, so a vegetable-leaning diet is advised. It is a maternal mouthbrooder that breeds readily in aquaria.

Water
Freshwater
Origin
Lake Malawi, East Africa
Adult size
10 cm
Diet
Omnivore
Temperament
Semi-aggressive
Difficulty
Beginner
Keep in group of
5+
Electric yellow cichlid (Labidochromis caeruleus)
Illustration

Colour varieties

2 trade forms of the same species — sizes and care are identical.

Electric Yellow
Electric Yellow
Bright solid lemon-yellow body with a contrasting black stripe along the dorsal fin.
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Sunflower
Sunflower
Deeper, more orange-tinged yellow than the standard form, giving a warmer sunflower tone.
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Water parameters

Temperature23 – 28 °C
pH7.5 – 8.8
Carbonate hardness (KH)10 – 25 °dKH
General hardness (GH)8 – 20 °dGH

Tank & stocking

Minimum tank volume200 L
Volume budget per individual 20 L — adds up with tank-mates
Minimum group size5 individuals (shoaling)

“Minimum tank volume” is a reasonable floor, not an absolute limit. The per-individual budget is used by the Aqua app to estimate how heavily a tank is stocked.

Frequently asked questions

What size aquarium does Electric yellow cichlid need?

Provide at least 200 litres for a small group to keep Electric yellow cichlid in good conditions.

What water parameters does Electric yellow cichlid need?

A temperature of 23–28 °C, pH 7.5–8.8.

Is Electric yellow cichlid peaceful or aggressive?

Its temperament is semi-aggressive.

What does Electric yellow cichlid eat?

Its diet: omnivore.

How many Electric yellow cichlid should be kept together?

It is a social species: keep a group of at least 5.

How big does Electric yellow cichlid get?

Around 10 cm as an adult.

Is Electric yellow cichlid suitable for beginners?

Care level: beginner.

Planning a tank with Electric yellow cichlid?

AquaTender turns these parameters into live advice: it checks whether your tank is big enough, how heavily it's stocked, and whether your fish are compatible — then tracks water tests, photos and maintenance for you.

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Fish from the same biotope

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