General information – One of the most beautiful Mbuna that exist in the hobby, 

its yellow and black colors along with the fact That it is one of the least aggressive cichlids makes it

very popular all over the world. 

Common Name - lemon cichlid, electric yellow. 

Scientific Name - Labidochromis caeruleus

Family – Cichlidae. 

Origin – Africa, Lake Malawi.  

Size – up to 15 cm.  

First discovered – Fryer, 1956.

Nutrition – omnivore, in captivity they will accept any food given, flakes, pellet, frozen or live food,

they also need green food such as lettuce, cucumber.      

Behavior – peaceful but can be semi-aggressive wile spawning.  

Maintenance and care – The Labidochromis caeruleus requires at least 20 gallon tank size.

The Labidochromis caeruleus should kept in large community tank with other small Mbuna type fish

like the species from the Labeotropheus Melanochromis.

Decorate the tank with rocks, caves and other hiding places.

These fish prefer hard alkaline water with a fairly high PH. The Caeruleus will appreciate water changes

on a weekly basis and well filtered water.         

Water Parameters – PH: 7.5-8.3, temperature: 73-82F (23-28C), DGH: 15-30. 

Breeding - One of the easiest Mbuna to breed.The Labidochromis caeruleus known as mouthbrooder.

In order to maintain male Aggression they should be kept in ratio of three females to each male in the tank.

The Preferred spawning site is on a flat stone, the female will take the unfertilized eggs in her mouth,

eggs will be fertilized after the male release his sperm into her mouth.

This process occurs when the female follow the male very close to his anal fin, the male have

spots on this fin, those spots known as dummy ggs, the female believes these are more eggs and

goes to catch them this is the right moment for the male to release his sperm.

After 21 days the female release her fry to the open water, the fry are big enough and without the yolk.