Freshwater
Cichlid
More details
Yellow Lab Cichlid (Labidochromis caeruleus)
Pro
Pro
Description
Bright yellow and surprisingly peaceful for a Mbuna, the Yellow Lab Cichlid is a stunning and hardy Lake Malawi species that adds vibrant color and manageable behavior to African cichlid tanks.
Difficulty Level
Beginner Friendly
Region
Yellow Lab Cichlid (Labidochromis caeruleus)
Core Details
Highlights
Care Level
/ 10
Easy to care for and more peaceful than most Mbuna, but still needs hard water, stable parameters, and space to establish territory.
Environment Impact
/ 10
Captive-bred extensively; wild populations near Nkhata Bay remain stable with responsible collection practices.
Origin
Endemic to Lake Malawi in East Africa, especially the Nkhata Bay region along the northwestern shore.
Visual & Behavioral Appeal
Vibrant lemon-yellow body with jet black dorsal and fin markings. Males and females look similar. Their color makes them popular even in non-cichlid setups when water parameters align.
Purpose
Ideal for beginner-friendly African cichlid setups. Their color softens the aggression of a typical Mbuna tank and provides a strong visual pop in rocky layouts.
Importance
Acts as a gateway species for hobbyists entering the African cichlid world. Their compatibility, peacefulness (by Mbuna standards), and striking looks make them one of the most recommended Malawi species.
Included Resources
Requires hard, alkaline water and rockwork for territory. Standard filtration, heater, and stable aquascaping. Sand substrate and caves are preferred.
Best Use Cases
Perfect for Lake Malawi biotope tanks, African cichlid communities, and colorful species-only displays.
Conservation Context
Not threatened. Wild-collected individuals are rare in the trade. Farming and captive breeding reduce pressure on native populations and help maintain genetic diversity.
Ideal Aquatic Species
• Other peaceful Mbuna (e.g., Rusty Cichlid)
• Peacock cichlids (if well matched)
• Synodontis catfish
• Avoid overly aggressive Mbuna or delicate fish
Region (A)
• Latitude: -11.6000° S
• Longitude: 34.3000° E
(Nkhata Bay, Lake Malawi, Malawi)
Region (B)
• Latitude: -10.5000° S
• Longitude: 34.0000° E
(Mpuzi area, Lake Malawi shoreline)
How Many Can I Keep?
Get smart stocking suggestions based on your tank size.
e.g. 75 gallons (280 L)
Yellow Lab Cichlid (Labidochromis caeruleus)
Core Details
Highlights
Care Level
/ 10
Easy to care for and more peaceful than most Mbuna, but still needs hard water, stable parameters, and space to establish territory.
Environment Impact
/ 10
Captive-bred extensively; wild populations near Nkhata Bay remain stable with responsible collection practices.
Origin
Endemic to Lake Malawi in East Africa, especially the Nkhata Bay region along the northwestern shore.
Visual & Behavioral Appeal
Vibrant lemon-yellow body with jet black dorsal and fin markings. Males and females look similar. Their color makes them popular even in non-cichlid setups when water parameters align.
Purpose
Ideal for beginner-friendly African cichlid setups. Their color softens the aggression of a typical Mbuna tank and provides a strong visual pop in rocky layouts.
Importance
Acts as a gateway species for hobbyists entering the African cichlid world. Their compatibility, peacefulness (by Mbuna standards), and striking looks make them one of the most recommended Malawi species.
Included Resources
Requires hard, alkaline water and rockwork for territory. Standard filtration, heater, and stable aquascaping. Sand substrate and caves are preferred.
Best Use Cases
Perfect for Lake Malawi biotope tanks, African cichlid communities, and colorful species-only displays.
Conservation Context
Not threatened. Wild-collected individuals are rare in the trade. Farming and captive breeding reduce pressure on native populations and help maintain genetic diversity.
Ideal Aquatic Species
• Other peaceful Mbuna (e.g., Rusty Cichlid)
• Peacock cichlids (if well matched)
• Synodontis catfish
• Avoid overly aggressive Mbuna or delicate fish
Region (A)
• Latitude: -11.6000° S
• Longitude: 34.3000° E
(Nkhata Bay, Lake Malawi, Malawi)
Region (B)
• Latitude: -10.5000° S
• Longitude: 34.0000° E
(Mpuzi area, Lake Malawi shoreline)
How Many Can I Keep?
Get smart stocking suggestions based on your tank size.
e.g. 75 gallons (280 L)
Yellow Lab Cichlid (Labidochromis caeruleus)
Core Details
Highlights
Care Level
/ 10
Easy to care for and more peaceful than most Mbuna, but still needs hard water, stable parameters, and space to establish territory.
Environment Impact
/ 10
Captive-bred extensively; wild populations near Nkhata Bay remain stable with responsible collection practices.
Origin
Endemic to Lake Malawi in East Africa, especially the Nkhata Bay region along the northwestern shore.
Visual & Behavioral Appeal
Vibrant lemon-yellow body with jet black dorsal and fin markings. Males and females look similar. Their color makes them popular even in non-cichlid setups when water parameters align.
Purpose
Ideal for beginner-friendly African cichlid setups. Their color softens the aggression of a typical Mbuna tank and provides a strong visual pop in rocky layouts.
Importance
Acts as a gateway species for hobbyists entering the African cichlid world. Their compatibility, peacefulness (by Mbuna standards), and striking looks make them one of the most recommended Malawi species.
Included Resources
Requires hard, alkaline water and rockwork for territory. Standard filtration, heater, and stable aquascaping. Sand substrate and caves are preferred.
Best Use Cases
Perfect for Lake Malawi biotope tanks, African cichlid communities, and colorful species-only displays.
Conservation Context
Not threatened. Wild-collected individuals are rare in the trade. Farming and captive breeding reduce pressure on native populations and help maintain genetic diversity.
Ideal Aquatic Species
• Other peaceful Mbuna (e.g., Rusty Cichlid)
• Peacock cichlids (if well matched)
• Synodontis catfish
• Avoid overly aggressive Mbuna or delicate fish
Region (A)
• Latitude: -11.6000° S
• Longitude: 34.3000° E
(Nkhata Bay, Lake Malawi, Malawi)
Region (B)
• Latitude: -10.5000° S
• Longitude: 34.0000° E
(Mpuzi area, Lake Malawi shoreline)
How Many Can I Keep?
Get smart stocking suggestions based on your tank size.
e.g. 75 gallons (280 L)
Yellow Lab Cichlid (Labidochromis caeruleus)
Region
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