Electric Yellow Lab Cichlid (Labidochromis caeruleus)

Electric Yellow Lab Cichlid (Labidochromis caeruleus) - Bright Yellow Malawi Cichlid Full of Personality

The Electric Yellow Lab (Labidochromis caeruleus) is one of the most recognisable Lake Malawi cichlids, wearing a brilliant, uniform lemon-yellow coat set off by crisp black-edged fins. Its punchy colour holds up under almost any lighting, making it a standout in a rockwork Malawi display.

Electric Yellow Labs are relatively less pugnacious than many mbuna, but they're still assertive rift lake cichlids that will claim a cave and defend it against similarly-sized tankmates. They're inquisitive, active swimmers that quickly learn to recognise their keeper at feeding time.

At N8 Aquatics, our fish are carefully raised and conditioned to ensure healthy stock suited to home aquariums.

Species Snapshot

• Size Sold: Juvenile, approx. 3–5 cm
• Adult Size: 10–14 cm
• Tank Size: 200 L minimum, with rockwork and caves for territories
• Temperament: Semi-aggressive, territorial — keep only with other robust African cichlids of similar size, not a peaceful community fish
• Temperature: 24–27°C
• pH: 7.8–8.6
• Difficulty: Moderate

Ideal Habitat and Care

A Malawi-style setup with stacked rock and open swimming space suits this species best; hard, alkaline water is non-negotiable for its long-term health.

• Temperature: 24–27°C
• pH: 7.8–8.6
• Water Flow: Moderate to strong, with efficient filtration to handle bioload
• Maintenance: Weekly partial water changes to maintain stable, mineral-rich water

Diet

Feed a herbivore-leaning diet to keep this species' colours bright and avoid digestive issues.

• High-quality cichlid pellets as a staple
• Spirulina-based flake for plant matter
• Occasional frozen foods as a treat
• Avoid excess high-fat foods, which can cause bloat in mbuna

Compatibility

Best kept in an African cichlid community stocked with other similarly robust species.

Suitable tankmates include:

• Other Lake Malawi mbuna of comparable size
• Robust, similarly-tempered African cichlids
• Not suited to soft-water community fish or live plants

Avoid aggressive or fin-nipping species.

Why Buy From N8 Aquatics

• Carefully raised aquarium fish
• Healthy, well-conditioned stock
• Strong genetics and vibrant colouration
• Breeder support if you have questions

Pickup Information

N8 Aquatics currently operates as a local pickup-only breeder in Central Queensland.

Orders are collected by appointment after purchase confirmation.

Please ensure you are able to collect your fish before placing an order.

Important

All livestock sold by N8 Aquatics should be introduced to fully cycled aquariums suitable for the species being kept.

Please ensure your aquarium setup and tankmates are appropriate before purchasing.