Electric Yellow Cichlid
Labidochromis caeruleus
Also known as: Yellow Lab, Yellow labidochromis, Lemon yellow lab
Quick Facts
- Adult size: 10 cm (4 inches)
- Minimum tank size: 200 litres (50 gallons)
- Lifespan: 6–10 years
- Temperament: semi-aggressive
- Swimming level: all-levels
- Diet: omnivore
- Minimum group size: 1
- Difficulty: intermediate
Water Parameters
- Temperature: 24–28°C
- pH: 7.8–8.6
- Hardness (GH): 179–447 ppm (10–25 dGH)
Values above are general hardness (GH). For carbonate hardness (KH), the buffer that keeps pH stable, see the water parameters guide.
Care Summary
One of the few African cichlids genuinely suitable for keepers without prior cichlid experience. Yellow labs are less aggressive than most other mbuna (Malawi rock cichlids), peaceful within their own species in proper sex ratios, and stunningly coloured: bright lemon yellow with subtle black fin edges. Require alkaline hard water (matching naturally hard Australian tap water in most regions), rocky aquascaping with caves, and at least 200L of tank space. Not suitable for community tanks under any circumstances. A genuine introduction to African cichlid keeping for keepers in hard-water regions. That hard water needs to be well buffered too: keep the carbonate hardness (KH) high, above 8 dKH (about 140 ppm), so the pH stays high and stable rather than drifting down.
Tankmates
An African rift lake cichlid from Lake Malawi, not a community fish. Cannot be kept with standard tropical community species due to its alkaline hard-water requirements and territorial behaviour. Suitable only for African cichlid setups with other Malawi mbuna species, or as a single specimen in a hard-water tank with very specific tankmates. SEQ, Adelaide, and Perth tap water suits them naturally without modification. Best in groups of one male with several females, or in mixed-species mbuna tanks where aggression is diffused across many fish.
Compatible with
- Bristlenose Pleco
- Other Mbuna Cichlids
- Synodontis Catfish
- Peacock Cichlid
- Demasoni Cichlid
Avoid keeping with
- Betta
- Neon Tetra
- Soft Water Species
- Community Fish
- Cherry Shrimp
- Amano Shrimp
- Any Shrimp
- Ramshorn Snail
Common Problems
- aggression in pairs or small groups (need single or large groups)
- incompatibility with all standard community species
- shell erosion in soft-water tanks
- predation on any small tankmates
Sources: seriouslyfish.com, fishbase.org · Last updated: 2026-06-18