Labidochromis Yellow (Labidochromis caeruleus var. Yellow)

The popular freshwater fish Labidochromis Yellow, sometimes referred to as the Electric Yellow Cichlid, adds a vibrant splash of color to any aquarium. Aquarium enthusiasts love this fish because of its striking black dorsal fin and vibrant yellow body. Labidochromis Yellow, which comes from Lake Malawi in Africa, is a fantastic option for anyone looking to add a vibrant and lovely species to their aquarium.

These cichlids are a great choice for novice and expert aquarists alike because of their tranquil nature in contrast to many other African cichlids. They usually do best in a clean, well-kept tank with lots of rocks and hiding places to mimic their natural habitat. This arrangement supports their vibrant coloring and natural behavior while also making them feel safe.

Although Labidochromis Yellows are easy to care for, they do require particular attention, just like any other aquarium fish. It will be easier to keep them healthy and active if you are aware of their food, tank needs, and social interactions. These fascinating fish can add a pop of color and intrigue to your underwater environment, whether you’re setting up a new tank or looking to expand an existing community.

Habitat and Range

Africa: native to East Africa’s central and western Lake Malawi coastal regions. found in the lake’s northern region, stretching from Chirmbo Point to Charo and between Cape Kaiser and Lando. Only the western portion of Nkhata Bay, between Charo and Lionhead Bay, has been observed to exhibit the "electric yellow" color morph.

Vallisneria aethiopica is a species that inhabits lakes, two distinct biotopes, rocky places, and areas with vegetation. Of all the Labidochromis species, they are the deepest, typically found at depths of 20 to 30 meters. They are sporadically found at lower depths.

They are a mouthbrooding species that live in pairs or alone in the wild and are a matriarchal family. They consume fish and insects as well as lithophilic (loving rocks) invertebrates, mollusks, and snails, depending on their habitat.

One population inhabits shallow waters, mostly in thickets of Vallisneria, and it hunts snails there.

Description

Its striking bright yellow coloring is enhanced by the black edging that develops on its fins as it ages. The body is compressed laterally and elongated.

Size:

Males can be up to 10 cm long, while females can reach up to 7-8 cm. Big guys can grow up to be 15 centimeters long.

The vivid and resilient Labidochromis Yellow, popularly called the Electric Yellow Cichlid, is a popular freshwater fish among aquarium enthusiasts due to its tranquil temperament and eye-catching color. This species is excellent for both novice and seasoned aquarists because it requires little maintenance. Any home aquarium can benefit from the vibrant splash of color that the Labidochromis Yellow brings when it is given the proper conditions, food, and tank mates.

Behavior and compatibility

Generally calm species that fits in well with many communities of hard water aquariums. Should ideally be kept with fish like the placid Utaka group in an aquarium that mimics the biotope of Lake Malawi. can be effectively mixed with some cyprinid fish and rainbowfish.

You can mix and match them with other Mbunas. The aquarium should be overcrowded if it is home to a Mbuna community in order to minimize aggression and the potential for territorial formation.

Groups of them can be kept, but when they spawn, they become aggressive. It is best to have multiple females for every male because males can be very aggressive when pursuing other males.

This is the perfect Mbuna for novices.

Aquarium

Standard size: 90 x 45 x 40 cm; capacity: 160 liters.

The ideal substrate is sand or gravel with a fraction of no more than 2 mm. The soil’s thickness and the area beneath it should enable fish to equip their spawning grounds. The majority of the aquarium should have rock shelters with caverns and little patches of open water in between.

Water parameters:

In the range of 23 to 28°C pH range: 7.7 to 8.9 Durability: 10 to 25° dGH

Given that fish are at risk from even minute amounts of ammonia, it is critical to continuously monitor the preservation of the high optical qualities of the water and to prevent soil silting. Weekly fresh water replacement of a portion of the aquarium’s water is necessary, along with active filtration and aeration.

Feeding

In the wild, it primarily eats insect larvae that it extracts from the algae growing on the rocks. The fish in the aquarium are omnivores. Diet: fresh, frozen, or dehydrated.

They take in most of the suggested feeds; to keep things in balance, give them roughly equal amounts of plant and animal food. Bright colors will result from having enough carotenoids in them.

Don’t overindulge in food. Small feedings spaced throughout the day are always preferable to one large feeding. This will contribute to the long-term preservation of high water quality.

Sexual Dimorphism

An inexperienced person finds it difficult to distinguish between a male and a female.

During spawning, adult males typically have brighter colors and are slightly larger than females. Additionally, the pigmentation on their fins becomes darker.

Breeding

Are a species that gloats.

Ought to be raised in a species tank with a minimum of three females and one male. Aquarium setup should follow the above guidelines. Provide some open sand areas and some level rocks as possible spawning locations. A pH of 8.2-8.5 and a temperature of 25–27°C are ideal.

The male begins to clean and circle around his chosen spawning site, showing intense color to try to entice females to mate with him. He often pursues females that are not ready to spawn and can sometimes cause damage to them, and it is precisely in order to dissipate aggression that it is better to keep the species in a harem – this does not allow the male to concentrate on one of the females. When she is ready, she will approach the spawning site and lay her eggs, after which she will take them into her mouth. The male has egg-shaped spots on his anal fin, which attracts the female. She then presses herself against the male, who releases his milt directly into the female"s mouth, thereby fertilizing the eggs.

For three to four weeks, the female can carry her progeny of five to thirty eggs before releasing the free-swimming fry. She won’t eat during this time, and her swollen mouth makes her easy to spot. You should exercise caution when moving the fish to prevent eating the fry because an overly stressed female may spit out or eat the brood.

It’s also important to remember that in this group’s hierarchical structure, a female may lose her place if she spends an extended period of time outside her colony. If the female is not being harassed, it is advised to wait as long as possible before moving her.

You can transfer the fry to an other container, either the fry or the female, to keep them safe. Since this usually results in more fry, some breeders artificially remove the fry from the mother’s mouth at the two-week mark and raise them from there.

The fry are big enough to eat brine shrimp nauplii right out of the bag.

The average lifespan is eight years.

The Yellow Lab, or Labidochromis Yellow, is a well-liked option for novice and expert aquarium keepers alike. This fish adds a lively and remarkable presence to any aquarium setting with its vivid yellow color and calm demeanor.

As long as their water conditions are kept consistent and they are fed a balanced diet, these cichlids are not too difficult to care for. They flourish in tanks that closely resemble their native habitat in Lake Malawi, with lots of rocks and hiding places. Even though they are generally calm, they can become territorial, especially when they are breeding, so it’s important to give them enough room and make sure their tank mates get along.

Ultimately, the Yellow Lab blends beauty with an easy-to-manage care regimen, making it a great addition to any freshwater aquarium. This vibrant fish is a great option for anyone wishing to give their aquarium a pop of color and some personality.

Video on the topic

Labidochromis Yellow (Labidochromis caeruleus var. “Yellow) #glushkov_aquafish #глашков_аквафисх #fish

Labidochromis caeruleus «yellow» Aquarium fish labidochromis yellow

Labidochromis Yellow (Labidochromis caeruleus var. Yellow). from 80r.