Electric yellow cichlid
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.
Colour varieties
2 trade forms of the same species — sizes and care are identical.
Water parameters
| Temperature | 23 – 28 °C |
|---|---|
| pH | 7.5 – 8.8 |
| Carbonate hardness (KH) | 10 – 25 °dKH |
| General hardness (GH) | 8 – 20 °dGH |
Tank & stocking
| Minimum tank volume | 200 L |
|---|---|
| Volume budget per individual | 20 L — adds up with tank-mates |
| Minimum group size | 5 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.
Fish from the same biotope
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