Electric yellow cichlid - Labidochromis caeruleus

Scientific name: Labidochromis caeruleus

Common name: Electric yellow cichlid

Family: Cichlidae

Usual size in fish tanks: 8 - 10 cm (3.15 - 3.94 inch)

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Recommended pH range for the species: 7 - 8.5

Recommended water hardness (dGH): 10 - 30°N (178.57 - 535.71ppm)

0°C 32°F30°C 86°F

Recommended temperature: 22 - 28 °C (71.6 - 82.4°F)

The way how these fish reproduce: Spawning

Where the species comes from: Africa

Temperament to its own species: peaceful

Temperament toward other fish species: peaceful

Usual place in the tank: Bottom levels

Feeding

For a balanced diet, Electric Yellow Cichlids need a mix of meaty foods and greens. Offer them algae, vegetable flakes, and pellets with spirulina for greens. Occasionally, add spinach, lettuce, and peas to their diet. For protein, feed them live or frozen bloodworms, brine shrimp, and larvae. Avoid overfeeding, as it can lead to obesity and poor water quality. Feed them an amount they can finish in 5 minutes if feeding once daily, or within 3 minutes if feeding twice a day.

Origin

In the wild, Electric Yellow Cichlids are found in Lake Malawi between the islands of Charo and Mbowe. They live in either deeper rocky areas or shallow waters among tall aquatic plants like Vallisneria.

Sexing

Males and females look very similar, especially subdominant males. The easiest way to identify the dominant male is by his bright yellow color. He will have longer, jet-black anal and pelvic fins, while his dorsal fin will be black with a yellow edge. Older males might develop a dull, dirty look on their faces. Females are usually smaller with yellow dorsal, anal, and pelvic fins (sometimes they may show a lighter black). Subdominant males are trickier to spot since their fin colors can range from light black to yellow, but they are usually larger than females.

Breeding

The Electric Yellow Cichlid is a mouthbrooder and can easily breed in home aquariums. They typically begin breeding when they reach about 5-6 cm (1.97-2.36 inches) in length, which usually happens around 6 months of age, when they are sexually mature. Breeding often starts after lowering the water level for a day, followed by adding fresh water. The male selects a spot, usually a flat stone, where the female lays her eggs. After the male fertilizes them, the female gathers the eggs into her mouth. This process is repeated several times before the female hides for about 3 weeks to incubate the eggs. Young, inexperienced females may produce around 10 fry, while older ones can have up to 30. If the female has a good hiding spot, she can stay in the main tank during incubation, and the fry will generally be safe with their parents once released. Removing the female after she releases her young can cause stress, leading her to eat the fry. Once their yolk sacs are absorbed, the fry can be fed brine shrimp or crushed flakes.

Lifespan

With proper care and conditions, they can live for up to 10 years.

Tank Requirements

This cichlid needs at least a 70-gallon (250-liter) tank for one male and a few females. The water should be hard, slightly alkaline, and consistently clean to maintain the fish’s health. The tank setup should mimic their natural environment. Divide the tank into two sections: one with dense vegetation - Vallisneria is ideal and commonly available in the aquarium trade, but make sure the roots are secure. The other section should have open swimming space with rocks and caves at the bottom. The best substrate for an Electric Yellow Cichlid is sand or fine gravel since they enjoy digging.

Tank Mates

The Electric Yellow Cichlid is relatively peaceful compared to other cichlid species, but it remains semi-aggressive and territorial. This behavior is especially directed towards fish of similar colors and shapes, as well as towards other males of the same species, as they are perceived as competition for food and mates. Although they may engage in fights, serious injuries are rare if the tank is spacious. In smaller or overcrowded tanks, conflicts can become more intense and dangerous. Females, however, are generally safe and can be kept with males without issue. It is best to maintain a ratio of three or more females per male, as males will often chase the females. The ideal tank mates are larger fish that do not compete for food or territory.

Short Description

In the wild, the Electric Yellow Cichlid typically appears as light blue with a hint of white. This strain of the Labidochromis caeruleus was once a rare color variation when first discovered. Due to their ease of breeding, Electric Yellow Cichlids are now widely available to aquarists, while the original light blue-white variety has become less common. This fish is also known by other names such as Blue Streak Hap, Labidochromis White, Labidochromis Yellow, and Yellow Prince. For insights on temperament and compatibility, please refer to Randy’s comment below.

Pictures

Pictures were provided by Alberto Villarroya. Thanks!

Questions & Answers

As of March 23, 2012, the following questions and answers were added here following the integration of aqua-fish.net/answers with related pages.

• Which fish are compatible with Electric Yellow Cichlids?

  Answer: Electric Yellow Cichlids are African cichlids that thrive in a Malawi setup. They should be kept with other Malawi cichlids to ensure compatibility.

• How can I tell if my Electric Yellow Cichlids are breeding?

  Answer: Male Electric Yellow Cichlids often become more aggressive, frequently chasing the female. Since they are mouthbrooders, you might not see the actual egg-laying process.