Animal-World > Freshwater Fish > Cichlids - Malawi Types > Electric Yellow Cichlid

Electric Yellow Cichlid

Lemon Drop ~ Yellow Lab Family: Cichlidae

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Labidochromis caeruleus Photo © Animal-World: Courtesy David Brough

   The bold striking colors of the Electric Yellow Cichlid have certainly helped it earn its name!

   This fish is usually seen in its golden phase, thus its common names: Electric Yellow Cichlid or Labido, Lemon drop Cichlid, and Yellow Lab. There are other color variations, especially blue, that are also occasionally available.

   One of the mbuna group, the small rock dwelling cichlids, the Electric Yellow Cichlid are found only in the Nkata Bay of Lake Malawi. This fish is most comfortable in an aquarium with lots of rocks and caves that provide hiding places for it to dart in and out of. If you provide plants they will not burrow or in any other way disturb them. This is also one of the most peaceful fishes of mbuna species. They can live singly or in pairs and are not territorial!

For more Information on keeping this fish see:
Guide to a Happy, Healthy Freshwater Aquarium

Dream Aquarium Build your own aquarium The Coolest and Funnest Screensaver in the World.

Distribution:
   The Electric Yellow Cichlid or Labido, also known as the Lemon Drop Cichlid or Yellow Lab, were described by Fryer in 1956. They are found in Lake Malawi, Africa where they inhabit the rocky coastlines.

Status:
   The species is listed on the IUCN Red List, but with the status of 'LC', meaning 'Least Concern'.

Description:
  The body of the Electric Yellow Cichlid is stocky and rather elongated. It is usually seen in its golden phase with a black edge on its dorsal and anal fins, though it will often not show this vivid black striping until it is mature. There are other color variations, especially blue, that are occasionally available.

Size - Weight:
   These fish get up to 8 inches (20 cm).

Care and feeding:
   Since they are omnivorous, the Electric Yellow Cichlid will generally eat all kinds of live, fresh, and flake foods. To keep a good balance give them a high quality flake food or pellet everyday. Feed brine shrimp (either live or frozen) or blood worms as a treat.

Water Region: Top, Middle, Bottom:
   These fish will swim in all areas of the aquarium.

Acceptable Water Conditions:
   Hardness: 10-20° dGH
   Ph: 7.2 to 8.8
   Temp: 75-79° F 24-28° C

Social Behaviors:
   They are not a territorial fish. They are among the most peaceful fish found on Lake Malawi. These fish can live singly or in pairs. They are an ovophile mouth brooder with a matriarch family. They don't burrow or disturb plants.

Sexual Differences:
   The male is more colorful at breeding time. They will develop a bluish color and are larger than the female.

Breeding/Reproduction:
   The Electric Yellow Cichlid or Lemon Drop Cichlid are egg layers, form matriarchal families, and are ovophile mouth brooders.
   According to a report by SCHEUERMANN (1974) in Das Aquarium 8, 439-441: the young leave the mouth of the mother after 40 days at 23-24° C (73-75° F) or after 25 days at 27-28° C (81-82° F). The mother continues to care for the young for about a week after they leave her mouth.

Buy Electric Yellow Cichlids From LiveAquaria.com

See the description of how these fish breed in Breeding Freshwater Fish.

Availability:
   The Electric Yellow Cichlid, also called the Lemon Drop Cichlid or Yellow Lab, is readily available. They usually cost between $6.00 - $12.00 USD each.

Author: David Brough. CFS.

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Latest Comments
I have 2 of them and a small male and large female kenyi in a 29 gallon tank, and they love it. I have many plants and a big crystal rock. Anonymous 2007-12-01
I have a male yellow lab that I have had for about 3 months now. He gets along well with my two other cichlids, although he did kill my peacock cichlid a few weeks ago. I also have a tropical catfish in the tank...and the two of them kind of pick on each other, but nothing serious. I really do love my "yellow lab" though. He is very friendly towards me and I really enjoy him. Want to get a couple of females to breed. Meg 2007-11-05
I have a young yellow Labidochromis in a 10 gallon with rockwork and pots. S/he already reconizes me after only 2 weeks. S/he will be moved to a 29 gallon tank in around 6-8 months. the fish lived happily with 3 tiger barbs in the 10 gallon for several weeks but the barbs are sick so they were separated. Overall smart, hardy , personal, and cute cichlid. Also stay small so can be housed in 29 gallon tanks! Anonymous 2007-03-23
I have 3 of these guys from 1 to 2 inches long. i totally enjoy them more than i do my guppies or goldfish, love feeding them. My labs are in a 20 long right now but am going to add them along with some other cichlids to my 55 gallon. I had two strands of ancharis/elodea in the tank and they totally robbed one of them of their leaves so i moved it to my guppy/goldfish tank . Java fern is the choice plant, they don't touch this in my tank, not even the newly grown leaves that grow off its adult leaves. Now not only are they great to feed, but they are great to watch because of their unique behavior from other cichlids i've seen. cichlidering 2007-02-24
I have 3 of these. They are very nice fish! One I have named "Groucho" because some black markings on his face make him look like the comedian. Johnny Peters 2007-02-17
Some of the coolest comments:
Okay okay....so electric yellows are only peaceful with their own kind, and if anyone thought it would be okay to put any smaller tropicals into the tank....well you have found out it isn't a wise thing to do unless of course its for live food. Amongst other cichlids they are territorial, but as a rule I have never had a problem as long as they are all of the cichlid family. Excluding convicts! I have 3 plecos and assorted electric blues and yellows, and silver dollars and the only time there is trouble is when they are hungry. Feeding daily will normally prevent them from being too aggressive. Since I wrote in 2004, I have had many many cichlids and many experiences, some not so wonderful, but most have been good. cheri raye 2008-10-08
Have 2 housed in a 55 gallon tank with 9 other african's, plus 2 lace catfish, and after only a month the two of them mated! The male dug a hole under a decorative hollowed out log, and the female sat in there for a few days, with the male chasing everybody else away who got close. Well, now she's swimming around with a bloated mouth, and he's back to his usual ways. Love the colors on this fish, and they're very personable. If I tap the glass, the male will come out of wherever he's hiding and come to the glass. We will be moving them to a 10 gallon breeder tank when the young are swimmming, then back after the young are old enough to handle themselves. Was told by the local petshop guys that they'll probably spawn every couple of months now. steve 2008-09-18

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