Labidochromis Caeruleus Yellow Malawi African Cichlid Small 2 Inches
Image for illustration purposes only. Exact colours, patterns, and size may vary between individuals.
Delivered alive, guaranteed
Live fish delivery is £20 per order, delivered Thursday, Friday or Saturday, arriving before 1:00pm on the day you choose at checkout. Packed by aquatic specialists and shipped overnight with a dedicated livestock courier, every fish is covered by our Live Arrival Guarantee with automatic refunds. See How Live Fish Delivery Works for full details.
When will my fish arrive?
| Order placed | Delivery day |
|---|---|
| Up to Monday 11:00am | Thursday (that week) |
| Monday after 11:00am – Tuesday 11:00am | Friday (that week) |
| Tuesday after 11:00am – Wednesday 11:00am | Saturday (that week) |
| Wednesday after 11:00am – Sunday (any time) | Thursday (following week) |
Overview
The Yellow Lab, or Electric Yellow Cichlid, is a glowing canary-yellow mbuna with a black-edged dorsal fin that stands out in any rock-scaped tank. It is one of the mildest Malawi cichlids and shows colour in both sexes. Endemic to the northern shores of Lake Malawi, it suits anyone starting a hard-water African cichlid community.
- Adult Size: Around 10 cm (4 in); males slightly larger
- Lifespan: 6–10 years
Origin
- Native to: Lake Malawi, East Africa; northern shores near Nkhata Bay
- Habitat: Rocky shorelines and Vallisneria beds, hard alkaline water
Feeding
- Diet: Omnivorous, leaning herbivorous
- Preferred Foods: Spirulina flakes, cichlid pellets, blanched spinach, brine shrimp, daphnia, mysis
- Feeding Habits: Small feeds twice daily; keep bloodworm occasional to protect the gut
Tank Mates
- Best with: Peaceful mbuna, Aulonocara, Synodontis catfish, other Yellow Labs in harems
- Avoid: Soft-water community fish, highly aggressive mbuna, similar yellow species
Aggression & Behaviour
- Temperament: Relatively peaceful for a Malawi cichlid
- Territoriality: Males defend a cave when breeding; mild otherwise
Experience Level
- Difficulty: Beginner (cichlids)
- Challenges: Needs stable hard water, rockwork and enough females per male
Water Parameters
- Water Type: Freshwater, hard and alkaline
- Temperature: 24–28°C (75–82°F)
- pH: 7.7–8.6
- Hardness: 10–25 dGH
- Flow: Moderate, well oxygenated
- Tank Size: Minimum 200 litres for one male with three or more females
Final Notes
Yellow Labs settle quickly but are long-lived fish needing a cave-rich rockscape and firm, mineral-rich water. They are maternal mouthbrooders: keep one male with at least three females, and the female holds 5 to 30 eggs for three to four weeks before releasing fry that take brine shrimp nauplii immediately. Provide sand, strong filtration and regular water changes, and this is one of the most rewarding first African cichlids.
Please Note
The livestock that is sold on our online site is not held in store at our Birchwood Aquatic Centre shop. Species sold at the Birchwood Aquatic Centre physical store may differ from ones available to order to your door.
Frequently Asked Questions
In insulated boxes designed for live transport, packed by aquatic specialists,
overnight with a licensed live-animal courier, arriving before 1pm.
It is covered by our Live Arrival Guarantee.
Photograph it within 4 hours of delivery, email info@birchwoodaquaticcentre.co.uk with your order number, and the refund is processed automatically. The cover continues for 7 days after arrival.
Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday. You pick your day at checkout; please choose a day someone is home.
Yes. One basket, one checkout; the fish arrive with the specialist courier and the rest of your order ships as normal.
We can deliver to UK mainland only for live fish.
Follow the five-minute acclimatisation steps in our When Your Fish Arrive guide: float the bags, add tank water gradually, net the fish in, lights low, feed tomorrow.