Electric yellow cichlid
Labidochromis caeruleus
10 cm
Adult size
190 L
Minimum volume
4
Minimum group
8 years
Lifespan
Water parameters
Understand these values- Genus
- Labidochromis
- Diet
- omnivore
- Social life
- harem
In the wild
Overview
One of the most popular African lake cichlids, thanks to its brilliant colour and its fairly calm temperament for a mbuna. The bright yellow form so widespread in aquariums is actually one of the rarest in the wild, where the blue-and-white form dominates.
- Scientific name
- Labidochromis caeruleus Fryer, 1956
- Classification
- Cichliformes › Cichlidae
- IUCN Red List
- Least concern (LC)
Natural habitat
Endemic to north-western Lake Malawi; the yellow “electric yellow” form is known only between Charo and Lion's Cove
Observations (GBIF) and localities Native countries Rivers and lakes
It frequents two different habitats in the lake: rocky areas and dense beds of Vallisneria.
Behaviour
Relatively peaceful, it suits many hard-water tanks: in a Malawi biotope with peaceful haplochromines, or with rainbowfish and some hard-water cyprinids. It can live in a group but becomes territorial when breeding; males chase females vigorously, hence several females per male. Mostly plant matter, supplemented with live or frozen prey.
Sources:FishBase Seriously Fish GBIF · Base map: Natural Earth