Yellow Lab Cichlid - Tank Mates | Size | Care | Breeding

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Yellow lab cichlid, scientific name Labidochromis caeruleus is also called Electric Yellow Cichlid, Lemon drop Cichlid, Yellow Labido, Blue Streak Hap in addition to Yellow Prince. Its totally different names are attributable to its number of color morphs.

In this article, I am going to share an overview of yellow lab cichlid tank mates, size, tank size, for sale, female, male and female, community tank, breeding, lifespan, fry, etc.

The Electric Yellow Cichlid Labidochromis caeruleus is likely one of the hottest African cichlids due to the attractive yellow coloring. It’s often seen in its golden phase, thus its common names additionally embody Yellow Lab Cichlid, Electric Yellow Lab, Yellow Labido, Lemon Yellow Lab, and Lemon drop Cichlid.

Yellow lab cichlid At A Glance

Binomial name: Labidochromis caeruleus
Family: Cichlidae
Habitat: Lake Malawi, Africa
Lifespan: 6 – 10 years
Size: 3.2 – 4 inches
Diet: Omnivore but Carnivorous in the wild
Minimum Tank Capacity: 30 gallons
Temperament: Semi-aggressive
Care level: Easy
Temperature: 23.9 – 26.1 Celsius
Reproduction: Egglayer

Yellow lab cichlid Overview

This strikingly yellow morph is just one number of this fish nonetheless, there are literally a couple of dozen naturally occurring shade morphs.

As a bunch, this species is called the Blue Streak Hap in addition to Labidochromis Yellow, Labidochromis White, Pearl Labidochromis, and Blue-White Labido. Blue morphs in addition to white varieties are often available to the hobbyist.

The Electric Yellow Labs are the most fascinating African cichlid. They stand out with their good coloration but additionally because they are one of the most peaceful of the Mbuna species.

As an omnivore and being considerably shy, they’re very versatile and adaptable to all types of cichlid setups. They’ll live singly or in pairs.

They don’t seem to be territorial however they are going to be aggressive towards different fish which can be similar in body form or color.

Different peaceful Mbunas in addition to Peacock Cichlids, Featherfins, and Lamprologus species could make good tankmates.

These really enticing fish are perfect for the start cichlid keeper. They are often maintained in an aquarium as small as 30 gallons, although 50 gallons or so is good, and they’re typically easy to look after.

They’re most comfortable in an aquarium with a number of rocks and caves that provide hiding locations for it to dart out and in of.

They like a sandy bottom and when you present vegetation they won’t burrow or in another way disturb them.

They’re very durable and less susceptible to Malawi Bloat, which is an affliction that many African cichlids are prone to if the herbivore side of their dietary wants is usually not carefully managed.

Yellow lab cichlid Description

The body of the Labido Cichlid is stocky and slightly elongated. This cichlid grows a bit over 3 inches (8.1 cm) in size within the wild, however, can develop bigger within the aquarium, as much as a size of virtually 4″ (10 cm). Lake Malawi fish dwell a median of 6 to 10 years.

There are a couple of dozen color morphs discovered on this species, relying on the place they originate from.

The normal coloration is white with a vivid black stripe working alongside the dorsal fin simply inset from the sting. Males develop a bit bigger than females and through breeding, time develops a bluish coloration.

The Electric Yellow Cichlid, as its name suggests, has a vibrant yellow body additionally with a black stripe on its dorsal in addition to black on the anal fins, although it should typically not present this vivid black striping till it’s mature.

That is the most popular within the hobby however there are different color variations, particularly blue, which can be often obtainable. A few of these varieties are:

Yellow lab cichlid Habitat and Distribution

The Blue Streak Hap Labidochromis caeruleus was described by Fryer in 1956. They’re endemic to the rocky shoreline of Lake Malawi, Africa.

Their distribution inside Lake Malawi is on the west coast between Ruarwe and Nkhata Bays and on the east coast from the waters of southern Tanzania to northern Mozambique.

This distribution contributes to a diversity of shade, principally in variations of whites and yellows. Electric Yellow Cichlid has a way more restricted location.

They’re found solely on the western facet in Nkhata Bay between the Islands of Charo and Lion’s Cove.

This species is listed on the IUCN Red List as Lease Concern (LC). It’s endemic to Lake Malawi however is widespread with no acknowledged threats at current.

Different common names it’s recognized by are Labidochromis Yellow, Labidochromis White, Pearl Labidochromis, Blue-White Labido, Labido Cichlid, and Utaka (despite the fact that it’s a Mbuna).

The Electric Yellow Cichlid described right here is also called the Yellow Lab Cichlid, Electric Yellow Lab, Electric Yellow Labido, Lemon Yellow Lab, Yellow Labido Cichlid, Lemon drop Cichlid, and Yellow Prince.

Yellow lab cichlid Color variants

As talked about above, the Yellow Lab is available in totally different shade morphs, relying on its space of origin. For instance:

Lundu Island fish are white
Fish round Kakusa are usually yellow with a blue dorsal fin
Lion’s Cove specimens are yellow with a whitish stomach
Undu Point fish have white bodies with a darkish blue stripe on the dorsal fin
Nkhata Bay specimens have a white physique with blue fins

Yellow lab cichlid Appearance

Yellow lab cichlids are stocky with an elongated body. As they originate in numerous coasts of Lake Malawi, they will develop a wide range of morphs respective to their area.

The dorsal fin has a vivid black strip with layers of white shade above and under. The anal fin additionally develops a black stripe because the fish matures.

The remainder of the physique is yellow with variant shades as mentioned above. Males are a little bit longer than females and may develop bluish shade through the breeding interval.

Blue color variations are the commonest ones and so seem varied varieties in numerous areas equivalent to:

Kakusa- yellow body with a blue dorsal fin
Lion’s Cove- yellow body with a whitish stomach
Lundu Island- White
Nkhata bay- White body with blue fins (most popular morph)
Undu Point- White body with a darkish blue stripe on the dorsal fin

The common dimension of the yellow lab cichlid is 3.2 inches. Nonetheless, within the aquarium, it might probably develop as much as four inches.

The average lifespan of yellow lab cichlid ranges from 6 to 10 years relying upon the extent and quality of care.

Yellow lab cichlid Care

As Yellow lab cichlids are semi-aggressive, they’re appropriate to be stored by freshmen.

Nonetheless, it is very important to have a correct tank setup and take correct measures to look after and ensure your yellow lab cichlids are pleased and wholesome. Following is a short description of the tank necessities:

Size of Tank

The scale of the tanks must be at the very least 30 gallons. 50 gallons can be the perfect one, nonetheless.

The tank shouldn’t be overpopulated as yellow lab cichlids won’t develop to their applicable dimension in there and can turn out to be extra aggressive over time.

Maintenance of Tank

The tank must have a correct density of water, a maintained pH and water temperature, a particular hardness of water, and common water adjustments.

The water stage and density must be in accordance with the pure habitat of yellow lab cichlids. Because the water in Lake Malawi is wealthy in minerals, the water is alkaline.

Due to this fact, the pH of the water should range between 7.2 and 8.8. As for the temperature of the water, it must be maintained between 22 and 28 Celsius.

The water is meant to be a bit hardy so the hardness should be maintained between 10 and 20 dGH.

Yellow lab cichlids do advantageous in freshwaters or a little bit of brackish freshwater.

The main level is the necessity for good water motion and environment-friendly filtration. It’s suggested to alter the water weekly so as to add 10-20% of recent and freshwater.

They are often maintained in a minimum 30-gallon aquarium, although 50 gallons or so is good.

They do advantageously in both freshwater or brackish freshwater however want good water motion together with very robust and environment-friendly filtration.

They’ll tolerate any ph above impartial, however, a ph level of 8 is greatest. A substrate of crushed coral or sand used for saltwater tanks may also help hold the pH up.

Crushed coral or aragonite sands additionally are inclined to dissolves simpler than salts. Retaining the next pH nonetheless implies that ammonia is extra deadly, so common water adjustments are a should for these fish. A really sluggish acclimation to totally different pH ranges can generally be achieved.

They’re most comfortable in an aquarium with a number of rocks and caves that provide hiding locations to dart out and in of together with some open swimming area.

They spend the day transferring across the rocky inclines looking on the ceilings, cracks, and crevices for small meal tidbits. In case you provide vegetation they won’t burrow or in another way disturb them.

The streams that stream into Lake Malawi have a high mineral content. This together with evaporation has resulted in alkaline water that’s extremely mineralized.

Lake Malawi is understood for its readability and stability so far as pH and different water chemistries. It’s easy to see why it is very important to watch tank parameters with all Lake Malawi fish.

Rift lake cichlids need hard alkaline water however are usually not present in brackish waters. Salt is usually used as a buffering agent to extend the water’s carbonate hardness.

This cichlid has some salt tolerance so may be stored in barely brackish water circumstances. Nonetheless it not suited to a full brackish water tank.

It could actually tolerate a salinity that’s about 10% of a standard saltwater tank, a particular gravity of lower than 1.0002.

Yellow lab cichlid tank care

Minimal Tank Size: 30 gal (114 L) – A minimum of 30 gallons is the urge, with 50 gallons being best.
Appropriate for Nano Tank: No
Substrate Kind: Sand/Gravel Combine
Lighting Needs: Reasonable – regular lighting
Temperature: 75.Zero to 79.0° F (23.9 to 26.1° C)
Range ph: 7.2-8.8
Hardness Range: 10 – 20 dGH
Brackish: Sometimes – Salt is just not discovered of their pure atmosphere, however, they do have a slight tolerance, hold ranges under 10% – a particular gravity of lower than 1.0002.
Water Motion: Reasonable
Water Region: All – These fish will swim in all areas of the aquarium.

Social Behaviors

The Electric Yellow Cichlid is just not thought of to be a neighborhood fish. They don’t seem to be a territorial cichlid and they’re among the many most peaceable Mbuna discovered on Lake Malawi. They’re very versatile and adaptable to all types of cichlid setups.

They can dwell singly or in pairs. They don’t seem to be territorial however they are going to be aggressive in the direction of different fish which can be related in physique form or shade.

Different peaceable Mbunas in addition to Peacock Cichlids, Featherfins, and Lamprologus species can make good tankmates.

Temperament: Semi-aggressive
Compatible with:
Identical species – conspecifics: Yes – As adults they are often stored singly or in pairs.
Peaceful fish (): Monitor
Semi-Aggressive (): Safe
Aggressive (): Threat
Large Semi-Aggressive (): Threat
Large Aggressive, Predatory (): Threat
Slow Swimmers & Eaters (): Monitor
Shrimps, Crabs, Snails: Menace – is aggressive
Plants: Safe

Different Requirements

Yellow lab cichlids prefer to have themselves surrounded by a number of rocks and caves to allow them to conceal and swim out and in of them.

The underside of the tank must be sand or gravel or mix. It’s also possible to present vegetation and driftwood in there as they don’t hurt them.

The nitrate ranges must be stored as little as attainable. Ammonia and nitrite must be zero all the time. If not, your fish will begin refusing the meals and can extra probably simply flick it to the substrate.

Furthermore, the lighting must be applied in accordance with the solar rays reaching the bottom of waters in Lake Malawi, which is average and never too bright.

Yellow lab cichlid Tankmates

These African cichlids are usually not typically aggressive. Nonetheless, an aquarium stuffed with fish of the same species makes for a peaceable, full of life, the colorful neighborhood the place clashes are few.

Apparently, an understocked community of fewer than 20 individuals is more likely to be aggressive than one the place there are loads of fish.

The perfect tankmates for labidochromis caeruleus embody different Mbuna and one other kind of African cichlid.

You need to be aware that retaining a mixture of cichlids can result in some hybridization between Labidochromis, Pseudotroopheus, and Metricalima.

A mix of vibrant Yellow Labs, electrical blue, orange, white, and black specimens may be really spectacular.

Species to keep away from are Melanochromis auratus, which may be aggressive

Yellow lab cichlid Feeding

The food plan of yellow lab cichlid is carnivorous within the wild however, it’s omnivorous. It could actually simply eat all of the recent and dwell meals in addition to flake meals.

Their food plan ought to embody an equally balanced proportion of vegetation and animals.

Although they’re good with ready and frozen meals equivalent to high-quality flake meals, pellets, and dried meals however dwell pure protein equivalent to shrimps, mysids, and blood worms must also be part of their food plan.

Supplements equivalent to Carotene meals and Vitamins must also be a frequent part of their meals. It helps to maintain them healthy with vibrant body shade.

It is suggested to feed them small parts of meals a number of instances a day than one massive feeding. It additionally helps in retaining the water quality goods.

Yellow lab cichlid Compatibility

Yellow lab cichlids are usually not territorial cichlids and so, they don’t seem to be a community fish.

Although they’re peaceable, they’re extra adaptable to fellow cichlids. In a bunch of cichlids, they will dwell singly in addition to in pairs.

As for the tank mates, you need to be fairly cautious. They’re good to go along with peaceful and semi-aggressive fish however largely aggressive and predatory fish is usually a risk in your yellow lab cichlids. Yellow lab cichlid is itself a risk for shrimps, crabs, snails, and different smaller fish.

The perfect companions may be different Mbuna fish and Malawi cichlid species equivalent to Yellow Tail Acei cichlid, blue dolphin cichlids, Rusty cichlid, Perlmutt, Zebroids, and so on.

Nonetheless, when you hold them with fellow yellow lab cichlids, it must be in a ratio of 1 male to at the very least 2 females.

Yellow lab cichlid Reproduction

Yellow lab cichlids breed very simply. They’re prepared to breed when they’re 6 months old and about 1.5 inches in size.

A male begins digging a pit within the sand or claims a flat floor adopted by some dance strikes (seductively transferring his fin) to draw females in the direction of him. As any female comes close to, she begins transferring her body too if she is.

As they turn out to be acquainted with one another, a feminine is meant to put a batch of 10-30 eggs and takes them in her mouth instantly. Proper when she does this, the male flairs out his anal fin displaying out his egg spot patterns.

The feminine errors these egg spots as her eggs and tries to take them in her mouth.

As he does so, the male is stimulated and discharges sperm (cloud of milt) into the mouth of the feminine. As she inhales the milt, it fertilizes the eggs in her mouth.

Whereas females have the eggs of their mouths, they don’t eat anything. This takes as much as 25 to 40 days.

When the younger depart their mother’s mouth, each the female and male care for them and are very possessive about their younger ones.

Fry can eat dried meals and brine shrimps. Make it possible for your aquarium has loads of hiding spots so the fry can survive simply with no potential risk of being eaten by different fish within the tank.

Yellow lab cichlid Diseases

Fish within the aquarium get affected by the poor high-quality water, deficiency, or extra of a number of minerals equivalent to copper, phosphates, and nitrates, and lesser provide of oxygenation and thus develop totally different diseases.

For the fish in Lake Malawi, Malawi Bloat is a typical illness that occurs attributable to deficiency of vegetable matter.

Nonetheless, Yellow lab cichlids are usually not very susceptible to this illness as they’re more of omnivores.

They can get Ich which is pores and skin and infection-induced as a result of an elevated variety of protozoans and water molds.

This may be cured by raising the temperature of the tank to 30 Celsius for nearly Three days. If no betterment is seen, move in the direction of Copper-based medication.

Furthermore, Yellow lab cichlid can all the time get parasitic infections, viral infections, or bacterial infections.

This additionally occurs as a result of deteriorating water and food plan circumstances. Be sure you have full knowledge of all of the early indicators of various illnesses so you may deal with them as early as possible.

Nonetheless, if you’re taking excellent care of the meals and water, there is no such thing as a probability of those illnesses within the first place.

Yellow lab cichlids are straightforward to get from fish shops. They arrive at average costs. As talked about, it isn’t very troublesome to care for them and they’re best to breed.

Simply that you need to be a little bit cautious in selecting the tank mates for yellow lab cichlids in order that they don’t get harmed or hurt another fish within the tank.

Total, they’re great fish to be stored within the aquarium due to their vibrant color morph.

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Yellow Lab Cichlid – Tank Mates | Size | Care | Breeding | Fry