The electric yellow cichlid is a beautiful freshwater fish that is popular among aquarists of all levels of experience. They are easy to care for and make a great addition to any community tank.
Despite their peaceful nature, they are known to be aggressive towards other fish of the same species. They are also known to be nippy towards slow-moving fish.
The electric yellow cichlid is a hardy fish that can tolerate a wide range of water conditions. However, they prefer water that is neutral to slightly alkaline with a pH of 7.0-8.5.
Table of contents
Species overview
The electric yellow cichlid (scientific name: Labidochromis caeruleus) is a freshwater fish that’s native to the waters of Lake Malawi in East Africa. They are one of the most popular cichlids in the aquarium scene due to their vibrant coloration.
Electric yellow cichlids are relatively small, only growing to be about 4-5 inches in length. They are a peaceful species of cichlid and can be kept with other peaceful fish.
They are a herbivorous fish and their diet consists primarily of algae. In the wild, they will also eat crustaceans, insects, and other small invertebrates.
Electric yellow cichlids are a popular choice for many aquarium enthusiasts due to their vibrant color and peaceful nature.
Appearance
The electric yellow cichlid is one of the most popular freshwater aquarium fish for a good reason: their beautiful coloration.
As their name suggests, these fish are a vibrant electric yellow. This coloration is uniform all over their body, with the exception of a black stripe that runs from their nose to the base of their tail. This stripe is more prominent in juveniles and fades as the fish gets older.
The body of the electric yellow cichlid is elongated and oval-shaped. They have a fairly large dorsal fin that starts about two-thirds of the way back on their body. This fin is triangular in shape and extends back quite a bit.
Their anal fin is also large and triangular, and it mirrors the dorsal fin in both size and shape.
The caudal fin is forked and relatively large, and the electric yellow cichlid also has a pair of small pectoral fins.
Lifespan
The electric yellow cichlid has a lifespan of between 5 and 8 years. This lifespan can be increased or decreased based on a number of different factors.
If the electric yellow cichlid is kept in a well-maintained tank with good water quality, they will likely live on the higher end of this range.
Conversely, if they are kept in poor conditions, their lifespan will be shortened.
Size
The average size of an electric yellow cichlid is between 4 and 6 inches. These fish can grow to be 8 inches long, but this is quite rare. Most electric yellow cichlids that are well cared for will max out at 6 inches.
Tank
Tank Size
The recommended minimum tank size for electric yellow cichlids is 30 gallons.
This is assuming you’re only keeping a few of these fish in your tank. If you want to keep a larger school then you’ll need an even larger tank. We recommend at least 50 gallons for a school of 6 fish.
As with most cichlids, electric yellow cichlids are fairly active fish. They need plenty of space to swim and explore. A larger tank will also give you more flexibility when it comes to adding tank mates.
Water Parameters
The electric yellow cichlid is a freshwater fish that’s native to the waters of Lake Malawi in Africa.
They’re a relatively peaceful fish that does best in a community aquarium with other cichlids.
Electric yellow cichlids are not fussy when it comes to water parameters. However, they do prefer water on the alkaline side with a pH of 7.5 to 8.5.
The ideal water temperature for electric yellow cichlids is between 76 and 82 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Water Temperature: 76 to 82 degrees Fahrenheit
- pH Levels: 7.5 to 8.5
- Water Hardness: 8 to 20 dGH
- Alkalinity Levels: 4-8 dKH
What To Put In Their Tank
The electric yellow cichlid is a very active swimmer and will appreciate some open space to move around in. They’re not the type of fish that spends a lot of time hiding so you don’t need a ton of cover in their tank.
We recommend a classic gravel substrate for these fish. It’s not too rough on their fins and it’s easy to clean.
As for decorations, you can go with anything that you think looks nice. These fish don’t have any specific requirements.
We do recommend avoiding anything that’s too sharp or jagged. These fish are known to be a little nippy and they can easily rip their fins on something like that.
Plants are always a nice addition to any aquarium, but electric yellow cichlids have a habit of uprooting them. If you want to include plants in their tank we recommend choosing something that’s very hardy (like java moss or hornwort).
Common Diseases
The electric yellow cichlid is a hardy fish that is resistant to most diseases. However, there are a few illnesses that can still plague this species.
The most common one is ich. As we’ve mentioned before, ich is a very common freshwater disease that can affect almost any fish species.
The most obvious symptom of ich is the presence of white spots on the body, fins, and gills of your fish. If you notice this, it’s important to take action immediately.
The good news is that ich is relatively easy to treat. The bad news is that it can be fatal if left untreated.
Another disease to look out for is hole-in-the-head disease. This is a condition that is caused by poor water quality and the presence of activated carbon in the tank.
This disease will present itself as one or two pits/holes in the skin of your fish’s head. While it’s almost always curable, it will usually leave some scarring on your poor fish!
As always, the best way to prevent these diseases is to maintain the quality of the water in your tank. A clean and stable environment is always the key to healthy fish.
Behavior & Temperament
The electric yellow cichlid is a beautiful fish that’s known for being peaceful and easy to care for. They’re a great option for beginner aquarists who want to add a splash of color to their tank.
Although they’re not the most active fish, they will move around the tank frequently. They’re curious by nature, so they’ll often explore their surroundings. When they’re not doing that, they’ll be hanging out near the bottom of the tank or in groups near the middle of the water column.
Electric yellow cichlids are social creatures, so they do best when they’re kept in groups. They’re not aggressive, but they can be territorial when it comes to their space. It’s best to keep at least six of them together so they have plenty of room to spread out.
When it comes to food, electric yellow cichlids are not picky eaters. They’ll eat just about anything you give them, from flake food to live food.
Tank Mates
The electric yellow cichlid is a beautiful and popular freshwater aquarium fish. They’re relatively easy to care for and make a great addition to any community tank.
When it comes to choosing tank mates for electric yellow cichlids, you have a lot of options. These fish are relatively peaceful and can get along with most species.
That said, there are a few things to keep in mind. First, electric yellow cichlids are territorial. They need plenty of space to themselves and can be aggressive towards fish that invade their territory.
As a result, it’s best to avoid fish that are similar in size and shape. Electric yellow cichlids are also known to eat smaller fish, so it’s best to avoid anything that can fit in their mouth.
With that in mind, here are some compatible electric yellow cichlid tank mates:
- Convict Cichlid
- Firemouth Cichlid
- Oscar Cichlid
- Jack Dempsey Cichlid
- Green Terror Cichlid
- Blood Parrot Cichlid
- Redtail Catfish
- plecostomus
- Synodontis Catfish
Breeding
The electric yellow cichlid is a mouth-brooder. This means that the female will carry the eggs in her mouth until they hatch. The fry will stay with her for another week or two until they are able to fend for themselves.
The first step in breeding electric yellow cichlids is to sex them. Males and females have different colors and patterns. Males are more brightly colored, while females tend to be a duller yellow.
Once you’ve sexed your fish, you can start to set up a breeding tank. It should be at least 30 gallons and have plenty of hiding places. Driftwood, rocks, and plants all make good options.
The next step is to trigger spawning. You can do this by raising the water temperature or by performing a water change. Once the female lays her eggs, the male will fertilize them.
After the eggs have been fertilized, the female will pick them up in her mouth and start to mouth-brood them. This process takes about three weeks. Once the fry are released, they will be able to fend for themselves.
You can start to feed them baby brine shrimp or crushed-up flake food.
Conclusion
The electric yellow cichlid is a great fish for anyone who wants a little bit of color in their life. They’re also relatively easy to care for, which is always a bonus.
Of course, there are a few things you’ll need to keep in mind in order to keep your fish healthy and happy. But we think the effort is worth it for such a beautiful and unique fish.
If you’re looking for a fish that will brighten up your tank and your life, the electric yellow cichlid is a great choice!
