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Electric Yellow Lab
Labidochromis caeruleus
A solid-yellow African cichlid that glows against dark rocks — the most peaceful of the mbuna and a Rift Valley classic.
4–5 in8–10 years
Habitat
Enclosure
30 gal minimum · rocky cichlid tank
Temperature
76–80°F
Humidity / Water
Freshwater · pH 7.8–8.5, hard
Heating & lighting
Heater plus hard, alkaline water (African cichlid salts are common). Stack rocks into caves — each fish claims one.
Diet
Feed these
- Spirulina-based cichlid pellets
- Vegetable flake
- Blanched peas and spinach
- Occasional krill
Never feed
- Tropical community setups — different water chemistry
- Betta
- Neon tetras
- Angelfish
Herbivore-leaning mbuna: feed a vegetable-based cichlid pellet. Too much protein causes deadly bloat in mbuna.
Cohabitation
Can live with
Other electric yellow labs — 1 male + several females Other peaceful Lake Malawi cichlids
Never house with
Betta and tropical community fish — different water Neon tetras Angelfish
The mildest mbuna — but 'mild' for a cichlid still means territories, chases, and rock wars. Keep one male with several females.
