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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

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 love theese cool litte fish! I just discoverd today, that one of my females is currently holding! Now, contrary to popular belief, feeding Yellow Labs will not promote "and ugly black color" like the comment below suggest. The "ugly black color" is actually the mature coloring of dominant males. I actually find it quite befitting, and an easy way to sex them. Also, another comment said they mixed some convicts in with Labs. Just because they are a more peaceful Mbuna species, doesn't mean they are harmless. Peaceful for a Mbuna, sure, peaceful in general, NOPE. They only do well with other Mbuna and shell dwelling species like Red Zebra's and Brichardi. Zeke 2009-05-29
Your electric yellows will turn an ugly black color if you feed them "color enhancing" flakes! Do not use this stuff, it will take months for the color to return to electric yellow! Mark Bleeker 2009-05-23
I have a 3.5 inch electric yellow and a (what I think is) 3 inch blue electric yellow in a 29 gallon with an 8.5 inch pleco. We had a snakefish, but it died yesterday. Today we brought home four blue ahlis and two convicts and the bigger yellow just won't leave them alone! One of the ahlis is about 5 inches and it's still getting picked on. I thought that they were supposed to be docile... Lisa 2009-01-18
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
Some of the coolest comments:
I have a 20 gallon tank with 4 adult "yellow labs" ( 2 males & 2 females ) 3 juvi's and 4 newly "born" babies. I have had some of these fish, or their offspring for over 12 years now. This tank always gets comments from first time visitors. I have the back glass painted black and rock stacked tall on 3/4 of the tank. the black background makes the yellow colors really "pop" under the flouresents. My fish are very happy and healthy. They are constantly "mating and breeding". most of the fry get eaten up in the first day or two after being released, but thats OK because I really don't have room for any more of them! Highly reccomended fish for beginners! I do so little to maintain this tank, it's ridiculous! The inside glass gets cleaned 2-3 times a weeks to keep it looking it's best, but other than that, I only clean the waterfall filter about every two months or so. VERY EASY AND REWARDING FISH! I LOVE my "Yellow Labs"! Mark Bleeker 2009-05-23
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
Comments Dr Jungle REALLY Likes to Hear!
Hi, had a male Yellow for 6 months now he is about 4 1/2 inches raised with a female Convict. Just added a 1 1/2 small Yellow male along with 1 small Yellow female, and same size Acei. So far so good-fingers crossed! My big male Yellow likes to try and threaten the 2 small yellows but when he trys to threaten the Acei, the Acei stands him off with a look of ya, so what! How ever befor adding them I did do a water change along with re arranging the tank with lots more slate,rocks,caves ect. I have found that my large Yellow is very territorial from day 1 months back and loves to dig all the time. Anyways love the site. fish man 2009-06-04

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