{"product_id":"electric-yellow-cichlid-labidochromis-caeruleus-freshwater","title":"Electric Yellow Cichlid (Labidochromis caeruleus)","description":"\u003cdiv style=\"background:#E3F2FD;border-left:4px solid #1E88E5;padding:10px 14px;margin:0 0 14px;font-size:0.95em;\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eIn-store pickup only.\u003c\/strong\u003e Your order is reserved, we hold off on bagging until you arrive so it stays healthy in its display tank.\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Electric Yellow Cichlid (\u003cem\u003eLabidochromis caeruleus\u003c\/em\u003e), also called the Electric Yellow Lab or Yellow Lab, is a Lake Malawi mbuna with a lemon-yellow body and crisp black trim on the dorsal and pelvic fins. It is one of the calmest mbuna in the hobby, which makes it the classic first fish for an African cichlid tank. Care level is beginner-friendly and temperament is semi-aggressive, so it fits right into a rocky, hard-water rift lake setup alongside other mbuna.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBrowse the rest of our \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/collections\/fish\"\u003efreshwater fish\u003c\/a\u003e, and pick up \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/collections\/maintenance-water-care\"\u003ewater care\u003c\/a\u003e to keep your rift lake chemistry steady.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 style=\"margin:14px 0 4px;font-size:1.05em;font-weight:600;line-height:1.25;border-left:4px solid #1E88E5;padding-left:8px;\"\u003eCare Guide\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eTank:\u003c\/strong\u003e 30 gallons minimum for a small group, 55 gallons or more for a mixed mbuna community. A 4 ft footprint gives males room to claim territory.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eAquascape:\u003c\/strong\u003e Stack rockwork into caves and crevices, like the \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/hikari-texas-holey-rock-resin-cichlid-cave\"\u003eHikari Texas Holey Rock\u003c\/a\u003e, over aragonite sand such as \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/caribsea-african-cichlid-mix-sahara-sand\"\u003eCaribSea African Cichlid Mix\u003c\/a\u003e. Broken sight lines keep aggression low.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eWater:\u003c\/strong\u003e Hard, alkaline water, pH 7.6 to 8.6. If your tap water is soft, raise KH and pH with \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/fritz-rift-lake-cichlid-buffer-african-cichlid-ph-kh\"\u003eFritz Rift Lake Cichlid Buffer\u003c\/a\u003e and add minerals with \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/fritz-rift-lake-cichlid-probiotic-salt-african-gh\"\u003eFritz Rift Lake Cichlid Salt\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFeeding:\u003c\/strong\u003e Omnivore. In the wild Yellow Labs pick insect larvae and small invertebrates off the rocks, so they handle a bit more protein than most mbuna. Feed a quality cichlid pellet such as \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/hikari-cichlid-staple\"\u003eHikari Cichlid Staple\u003c\/a\u003e, with a vegetable-based pellet or flake a few times a week. Skip beef heart and other heavy, fatty foods, which can trigger bloat in mbuna.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eStocking:\u003c\/strong\u003e Keep one male with three or more females, or a group of six or more. A slightly crowded tank spreads out chasing.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eMaintenance:\u003c\/strong\u003e 25 to 30 percent water changes weekly. Mbuna are heavy eaters and need strong filtration.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3 style=\"margin:14px 0 4px;font-size:1.05em;font-weight:600;line-height:1.25;border-left:4px solid #1E88E5;padding-left:8px;\"\u003eSpecifications\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003ctable style=\"border-collapse:collapse;width:100%;margin:6px 0 10px;\"\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:6px 10px;border:1px solid #BBDEFB;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCommon Name\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:6px 10px;border:1px solid #BBDEFB;\"\u003eElectric Yellow Cichlid, Electric Yellow Lab, Yellow Lab\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:6px 10px;border:1px solid #BBDEFB;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eScientific Name\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:6px 10px;border:1px solid #BBDEFB;\"\u003e\u003cem\u003eLabidochromis caeruleus\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:6px 10px;border:1px solid #BBDEFB;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eOrigin\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:6px 10px;border:1px solid #BBDEFB;\"\u003eLake Malawi, East Africa (captive bred)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:6px 10px;border:1px solid #BBDEFB;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAdult Size\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:6px 10px;border:1px solid #BBDEFB;\"\u003eUp to 4 inches\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:6px 10px;border:1px solid #BBDEFB;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMinimum Tank\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:6px 10px;border:1px solid #BBDEFB;\"\u003e30 gallons (55+ for mixed mbuna)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:6px 10px;border:1px solid #BBDEFB;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTemperature\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:6px 10px;border:1px solid #BBDEFB;\"\u003e76 to 82°F\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:6px 10px;border:1px solid #BBDEFB;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003epH\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:6px 10px;border:1px solid #BBDEFB;\"\u003e7.6 to 8.6\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:6px 10px;border:1px solid #BBDEFB;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHardness\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:6px 10px;border:1px solid #BBDEFB;\"\u003e10 to 20 dGH\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:6px 10px;border:1px solid #BBDEFB;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDiet\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:6px 10px;border:1px solid #BBDEFB;\"\u003eOmnivore\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:6px 10px;border:1px solid #BBDEFB;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTemperament\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:6px 10px;border:1px solid #BBDEFB;\"\u003eSemi-aggressive (mild for an mbuna)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:6px 10px;border:1px solid #BBDEFB;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCare Level\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:6px 10px;border:1px solid #BBDEFB;\"\u003eBeginner-friendly\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:6px 10px;border:1px solid #BBDEFB;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBreeding\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:6px 10px;border:1px solid #BBDEFB;\"\u003eMaternal mouthbrooder\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:6px 10px;border:1px solid #BBDEFB;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePickup\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:6px 10px;border:1px solid #BBDEFB;\"\u003eIn-store pickup only\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003ch3 style=\"margin:14px 0 4px;font-size:1.05em;font-weight:600;line-height:1.25;border-left:4px solid #1E88E5;padding-left:8px;\"\u003eCompatibility\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eGood tank mates:\u003c\/strong\u003e other similar-sized mbuna such as the \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/electric-blue-johanni-cichlid-pseudotropheus-johannii-freshwater\"\u003eElectric Blue Johanni\u003c\/a\u003e, rusty and acei cichlids, and robust synodontis catfish or bristlenose plecos. The yellow body contrasts beautifully with blue mbuna.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAvoid:\u003c\/strong\u003e soft-water community fish (tetras, rasboras, gouramis), slow or long-finned fish, and small shrimp, which will be eaten. Do not house with other \u003cem\u003eLabidochromis\u003c\/em\u003e or very similar yellow mbuna, since they can hybridize.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 style=\"margin:14px 0 4px;font-size:1.05em;font-weight:600;line-height:1.25;border-left:4px solid #1E88E5;padding-left:8px;\"\u003eRecommended Foods \u0026amp; Supplies\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/hikari-cichlid-staple\"\u003eHikari Cichlid Staple\u003c\/a\u003e, a daily pellet\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/vitalis-cichlid-herbivore-pellets\"\u003eVitalis Cichlid Herbivore Pellets\u003c\/a\u003e, a vegetable-rich rotation food\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/seachem-nutridiet-cichlid-flakes-probiotic\"\u003eSeachem NutriDiet Cichlid Flakes\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/fritz-rift-lake-cichlid-buffer-african-cichlid-ph-kh\"\u003eFritz Rift Lake Cichlid Buffer\u003c\/a\u003e and \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/fritz-rift-lake-cichlid-probiotic-salt-african-gh\"\u003eRift Lake Cichlid Salt\u003c\/a\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/caribsea-african-cichlid-mix-sahara-sand\"\u003eCaribSea African Cichlid Mix\u003c\/a\u003e substrate\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3 style=\"margin:14px 0 4px;font-size:1.05em;font-weight:600;line-height:1.25;border-left:4px solid #1E88E5;padding-left:8px;\"\u003eFAQ\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAre Electric Yellow Cichlids good for beginners?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eYes. They are hardy, tolerant of a range of hard-water conditions, and one of the least aggressive mbuna, so they are a great starting point for an African cichlid tank.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCan I keep just one?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eYou can, but they show more natural behavior in a group. Mbuna do best in a well-stocked tank where no single fish gets singled out.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHow can I tell males from females?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eIt is tricky, since both sexes are yellow. Males usually grow larger and show darker, bolder black on the dorsal and pelvic fins, while females tend to have paler fin edges.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWill they eat my plants?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eLess than most mbuna, but they dig and rearrange. Tough plants like anubias and java fern attached to rock hold up best.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Squeaky's Aquatics","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":48151996104923,"sku":"210172","price":15.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0767\/5209\/3403\/files\/unnamed.jpg?v=1768482792","url":"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/electric-yellow-cichlid-labidochromis-caeruleus-freshwater","provider":"Squeaky's Aquatics","version":"1.0","type":"link"}