From Aqua Guide, the free encyclopedia
Electric Yellow Lab
Labidochromis caeruleus
- Temperature
- 24–28 °C
- pH
- 7.7 – 8.6
- Min. tank size
- 200 L
- Lifespan
- 6-10 years
- Diet
- omnivore
- Care level
- moderate
| Scientific classification | |
|---|---|
| Scientific Name: | Labidochromis caeruleus |
| Family: | Cichlidae |
| Origin: | Africa (Lake Malawi, East African Rift) |
| Care Characteristics | |
| Care Level: | moderate |
| Diet: | omnivore |
| Max Size: | 10.00 cm |
| Water Type: | freshwater |
| Temp Group: | tropical |
| Temperament: | semi aggressive |
| Min Group: | 4+ together |
| Varieties: | The yellow morph everyone keeps is one of several natural colour forms of Labidochromis caeruleus, and — unusually — the rarest of them in the wild. The species occurs across Lake Malawi in white, pale blue and yellow forms depending on locality, with the blue-white "nkali" type being far more common in nature. The electric yellow, sometimes traded as the yellow lab or lion's cove yellow after one collection locality, is the one that made the species famous. Within the yellow strain, breeders select for depth of colour and for the strength of the black fin markings, and quality varies enormously — a well-bred yellow lab is a saturated lemon colour, while a poor one is a washed-out cream. Almost all trade fish are tank-bred rather than wild-caught. The critical rule is not to mix. Different forms, and other Labidochromis species such as L. hongi and L. perlmutt, hybridise readily in aquaria and should be kept separately. Once a line is crossed the fish look plausible and the genetics are ruined, which is a large part of why the quality of mass-market yellow labs has drifted. Buy from a breeder who keeps forms separate. |
| Lifespan: | 6-10 years |
Quick Tips
- Bioload:Medium to high
- Min Tank:200 L
- Substrate:Aragonite/coral sand (buffers pH high); many rock caves
- Plant Safe:Not reliably plant-safe (may dig/nibble)
- Filtration:High (strong filtration; hard alkaline water)
Electric Yellow Lab (Labidochromis caeruleus) is a species of fish in the family Cichlidae. It is native to Africa (Lake Malawi, East African Rift). The electric yellow lab is the mbuna to start with, and one of the few Rift Lake cichlids that belongs in a general recommendation. It comes from Lake Malawi and reaches 100 mm standard length. The body is a saturated lemon yellow with a black band along the dorsal fin and black edging on the pelvic and anal fins — a colour scheme that looks artificial and is entirely natural. It is described as relatively peaceful and ideal for many hard water communities, which among mbuna is a rare thing to be able to say. Two facts worth knowing before you buy. The electric yellow morph is actually one of the rarer forms in nature — most Labidochromis caeruleus in the lake are white or pale blue — and almost everything in the trade is tank-bred. And different forms, along with other Labidochromis species, should not be mixed in aquaria because they hybridise.
Compatibility
- Temperament
- semi aggressive
- Keep in
- Groups of 4+
- Swims
- middle
- Fin nipper
- No
- Delicate fins
- No
Species similar to Electric Yellow Lab
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