Edit Labidochromis caeruleus

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Name

Scientific name

Labidochromis caeruleus

Described by

Not recorded

Family

Cichlidae

Summary

Labidochromis caeruleus is a relatively peaceful mbuna from the northern part of Lake Malawi, best known in the hobby for its 'electric yel…

Size and aquarium

Maximum size

100mm, standard length

Tank size

Minimum length 90 cm, Minimum depth 45 cm, Minimum height 38 cm

Water

Temperature and pH

Temperature 24–28°C, pH 7.7–8.6

Hardness

10–25dGH

Conductivity

Not recorded

Behaviour

Temperament

Peaceful

Community suitability

Community-safe

Where it lives

Countries

Not recorded

Supporting text

Etymology

Not written yet

Distribution

Endemic to Lake Malawi. It occurs in the northern part of the lake, between Cape Kaiser and Lundo, and also from Chirmbo Point to Charo. The "electric yellow" …

Habitat

L. caeruleus inhabits two distinct biotopes in the lake, occuring in both rocky areas and also in heavily vegetated beds of Vallisneria.

Aquarium size

90 ∗ 45 ∗ 38 cm36 ∗ 18 ∗ 15 in - ~154 litres~41 US gal.

Maintenance

Much of the aquarium should contain piles of rocks arranged to form caves with small areas of open water between. A sandy substrate is best.

Water conditions

Temperature: 24 – 28 °C75 – 82 °F pH: 7.7-8.6 Hardness: 10-25°H

Diet

L. caeruleus will accept most foods offered but vegetable matter in the form of spirulina flakes, blanched spinach etc. should form a large proportion of the d…

Behaviour and compatibility

A relatively peaceful species ideal for many hard water communities. Ideally, it should be kept in a Lake Malawi biotope aquarium with fish such as peaceful Ha…

Sexual dimorphism

Adult males tend to be somewhat larger than females and develop brighter colours when spawning. They may also develop more black pigmentation in the fins altho…

Reproduction

Possible. Maternal mouthbrooder. It should be spawned in a species tank in a harem of one male and at least 3 females. A 48" aquarium is a good size and should…

Possible. Maternal mouthbrooder. It should be spawned in a species tank in a harem of one male and at least 3 females. A 48" aquarium is a good size and should be furnished as suggested above. Provide some flat stones and areas of open sand to act as potential spawning sites. The pH should be around 8.2-8.5 and the temperature 25 – 26.5 °C77 – 80 °F. Condition the fish with plenty of vegetable, live and frozen foods.

The male will clean and then display around his chosen spawning site, showing intense colour to attempt to entice females to mate with him. He can be quite aggressive in his pursuits and it is to dissipate this that the species should be spawned in a harem. When a female is willing, she will approach the spawning site and lay her eggs, after which she picks them up in her mouth. The male has egg-shaped spots on his anal and the female is attracted to these. When she tries to add them to the brood in her mouth she actually recieves sperm from the male, thus fertilising the eggs.

The female may carry the brood of 5- 30 eggs for up to 3 or 4 weeks, before releasing the free swimming fry. She will not eat during this period and can be easily spotted by her distended mouth. If a female is overly stressed she may spit out the brood prematurely or eat them, so care must be taken if you decide to move the fish, in order to avoid fry predation. It is also worth noting that if a female is away from the colony for too long she may lose her position in the pecking order of the group. We recommend waiting as long as possible before moving a female, unless she is being harassed. Some breeders artificially strip the fry from the mother's mouth at the 2 week stage and raise them from that point as this usually results in a larger number of fry.

The fry are large enough to take brine shrimp nauplii from birth.

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Where does this come from?

My own experienceFor example, I've kept twelve in a planted 60 cm tank since March 2024.A website I sawFor example, an IUCN Red List assessment, a museum catalogue or a FishBase page.A paperFor example, Marshall et al. (2011), Water temperature differences in interfluvial palm swamp habitats of Paracheirodon axelrodi and P. simulans.A book, or something not onlineFor example, Tappin (2010), Rainbowfishes: their care and keeping in captivity.Something already on the profileFor example, the Behaviour and compatibility section already says this.

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DOI

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Title

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Authors

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Year

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Pages

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Anything worth adding

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Notes

This species is one of the most popular Rift Lake cichlids in the hobby, due to its striking colouration and somewhat peaceful (for a mbuna) nature. It exists …

References

No references

Name

Scientific name

Described by

Family

Summary

Size and aquarium

Maximum size

Tank size

Water

Temperature and pH

Hardness

Conductivity

Behaviour

Temperament

Social needs

Community suitability

Where it lives

Countries

Supporting text

Etymology

Distribution

Habitat

Aquarium size

Maintenance

Water conditions

Diet

Behaviour and compatibility

Sexual dimorphism

Reproduction

Notes

References

References