Labidochromis caeruleus

Taxobox
name = Labidochromis caeruleus
status = LC | status_system = IUCN3.1
trend = unknown


image_width = 250px
image_caption = The naturally occurring yellow morph of "L. caeruleus" is popular with aquarium hobbyists.
regnum = Animalia
phylum = Chordata
classis = Actinopterygii
ordo = Perciformes
familia = Cichlidae
genus = "Labidochromis"
species = "L. caeruleus"
binomial = "Labidochromis caeruleus"
binomial_authority = Fryer, 1956"Labidochromis caeruleus", is a species of cichlid fish also known as lemon yellow lab, the blue streak hap, the electric yellow or yellow prince. It is endemic to the central western coastal region of Lake Malawi in East Africa. One naturally occurring colour variant from Nkhata Bay is one of the most popular cichlids amongst aquarium hobbyists.

This species is a maternal mouthbrooder, meaning the eggs are carried, hatch, and develop in the mother’s mouth (buccal cavity), for about three weeks. These fish are ovophiles and the male will excavate a pit in the sand within his territory, in which the female lays the eggs; the female then takes these eggs into her mouth for fertilization.

Electric yellows inhabit water with a pH between 7.8 and 8.9 and an ideal temperature range of 23–26 °C (76–78 °F).

Aquarium care

Electric yellows are peaceful compared to most other African cichlids. Despite this, like all cichlids from Lake Malawi, they are best kept in specialist cichlid aquariums. As with most cichlids, electric yellows should not be kept with freshwater community aquarium species such as Zebra Danios or Neon Tetras, they may nip the finnage of other species, and are not recommended for freshwater community aquariums because of the differences in the natural habitats between cichlids and other fish species. In an aquarium setting, their natural habitat of rocks and caves should be emulated. Their diet should consist mostly of prepared cichlid pellets or flakes, supplemented with foods like krill, brineshrimp, and Spirulina flakes.

References

*IUCN2006|assessors=Kasembe|year=2005|id=61090|title=Labidochromis caeruleus|downloaded=12 May 2006
*ITIS|ID=649132|taxon=Labidochromis caeruleus|year=2005|date=June 22
*FishBase_species_alt|ID=2327|taxon=Labidochromis caeruleus|year=2005|month=May

See also

*Mbuna
*List of freshwater aquarium fish species