Common name: Yellow Lab

Scientific name: Labidochromis caeruleus

Type of fish: Cichlid (mbuna)

Origin: Lake Malawi

Level of difficulty: Intermediate

Max size: 5 inches

Growth Rate: Fast

Minimum tank size: 30 gallons for one, 55 gallons for group

Diet: omnivore, less protein

pH: 7-8

Hardiness: Hardy

Aggressiveness: Aggressive, though not as much as other mbuna

Tankmates: Peacock cichlids, mbuna, medium-sized American cichlids, Synodontis catfish

Sexing: Males have egg spots on the anal fin which look like brightly-colored circles.

Notes: Healthier strains of this common cichlid have thicker black lines on the dorsal and anal fins. Overfeeding can lead to bloating. Yellow Labs are best kept in large groups with other mbuna. The habitat for these fish should have lots of rocks as mbuna are rock-dwellers.