Post by MADMIKE on Sept 24, 2006 19:32:49 GMT -5
Electric Yellow
Scientific Name: Labidochromis caeruleus
Home Range: Lake Malawi
Max Size: 4"
Minimum Tank Size: 30 Gallons
Temperament: Peaceful
Temperature: 74-80°F
pH: 7.2 - 8.2
Diet: Omnivorous
Swimming Zone: All
Electric Yellow
General Information
Labidochromis caeruleus AKA yellow lab or electric yellow, is one of the most popular african cichlids on the market today. Yellow labs are from lake Malawi. They have a bright yellow body and black fins. A reletively small cichlid, the yellow lab will get to be a length of about 4 inches. These fish like a pH of about 8.0, a temperature of about 80°F, and very clean water. They will eat a wide variety of foods. Although most Malawi cichlids need a low protein diet, Yellow labs can tolerate a little more protein then most other African cichlids. They should be fed a variety of flakes, pellets, brine shrimp, and fresh vegetables. Stay away from feeding live worms, they have too much protein and often cause bloat. Yellow labs aren't extremely aggressive, but do still have quite a personality. You can watch these fish for hours and not get bored. They like to live in groups with a male to female ratio of 1 male per 3 females.
The tank should have a lot of rocks and other hiding places to help keep the fighting down. For small groups (3-5 fish) a 20 gallon long or a 30 gallon tank is ok. For Larger groups a tank with 55+ gallons is recommended. Crushed coral substrate is good for African cichlid tanks because it buffers the PH to about 8.0, and it looks nice with rocks.
Tank mates for yellow labs aren't hard to find. Just about any Malawi cichlid with similar temperament and size will be ok (stay away from Pseudotropheus spieces). Warning: DO NOT put any other species of Labidochromis with yellow labs, if you do they will hybridize.
Breeding Information
Male and female yellow labs both have a very similar coloration. Males have more black on their dorsal fin than females, both are yellow and sometimes may get green spots around their face, and mouth. These fish are mouth brooders. They are sexually mature at 1.5 inches and will spawn frequently. Small females can hold up too 15 fry, and larger females can hold up to 30! They don't often eat their fry and while holding they may not eat for 4 weeks or more.
Submitted and Written By: Brian Namovicz aka. Cichfreak
www.cichliddepot.com/library/african/
Scientific Name: Labidochromis caeruleus
Home Range: Lake Malawi
Max Size: 4"
Minimum Tank Size: 30 Gallons
Temperament: Peaceful
Temperature: 74-80°F
pH: 7.2 - 8.2
Diet: Omnivorous
Swimming Zone: All
Electric Yellow
General Information
Labidochromis caeruleus AKA yellow lab or electric yellow, is one of the most popular african cichlids on the market today. Yellow labs are from lake Malawi. They have a bright yellow body and black fins. A reletively small cichlid, the yellow lab will get to be a length of about 4 inches. These fish like a pH of about 8.0, a temperature of about 80°F, and very clean water. They will eat a wide variety of foods. Although most Malawi cichlids need a low protein diet, Yellow labs can tolerate a little more protein then most other African cichlids. They should be fed a variety of flakes, pellets, brine shrimp, and fresh vegetables. Stay away from feeding live worms, they have too much protein and often cause bloat. Yellow labs aren't extremely aggressive, but do still have quite a personality. You can watch these fish for hours and not get bored. They like to live in groups with a male to female ratio of 1 male per 3 females.
The tank should have a lot of rocks and other hiding places to help keep the fighting down. For small groups (3-5 fish) a 20 gallon long or a 30 gallon tank is ok. For Larger groups a tank with 55+ gallons is recommended. Crushed coral substrate is good for African cichlid tanks because it buffers the PH to about 8.0, and it looks nice with rocks.
Tank mates for yellow labs aren't hard to find. Just about any Malawi cichlid with similar temperament and size will be ok (stay away from Pseudotropheus spieces). Warning: DO NOT put any other species of Labidochromis with yellow labs, if you do they will hybridize.
Breeding Information
Male and female yellow labs both have a very similar coloration. Males have more black on their dorsal fin than females, both are yellow and sometimes may get green spots around their face, and mouth. These fish are mouth brooders. They are sexually mature at 1.5 inches and will spawn frequently. Small females can hold up too 15 fry, and larger females can hold up to 30! They don't often eat their fry and while holding they may not eat for 4 weeks or more.
Submitted and Written By: Brian Namovicz aka. Cichfreak
www.cichliddepot.com/library/african/