Yellow Lab

One of the more strikingly colored African Cichlids, the Yellow Lab was classified as Labidochromis caeruleus by Fryer in 1956. Wild specimens grow to 4” in length, but the aquarium variety can obtain larger sizes. Since all Labidochromis interbreed regardless of color, it is thought that the more vivid coloration of the aquarium Yellow Lab may be the result of selective in-breeding. The juvenile and adult coloration is an intense yellow body color with blue/black edging to their dorsal and anal fins. There are no noticeable differences between the sexes, except that the male might have more intense color in the fins. Another of the mouth brooding African Cichlilds, the Yellow Lab female will incubate the eggs in her mouth for 14-21 days before releasing the fry. The Yellow Lab is one of the few African Cichlids that will tolerate multiple broods of children in the same aquarium, and as such, can be a candidate for a “single species” tank. In the wild, the Yellow Lab will eat just about anything, and in the home aquarium will especially enjoy small snails and other vegetable based prepared foods. The Lab is also one of the few candidates that can be kept with other types of fish, though they do prefer rocky formations and some open sand areas. Given their hardy appetite, it is best to use a good mechanical filtration system and plan on weekly partial water changes.

Approximate Arrival Size for Yellow Lab Cichlid: 1 to 2.5 in.

Detailed Information about this species.