Origin: Electric Yellows are NOT Mbunas, which is a large family of Cichlid fish that originally lived only in Lake Malawi in East Africa.

Most experts think they are Mbunas, but they are Labidochromis, which DNA analysis has recently shown are not Mbunas.

Labidochromis are native to Lake Malawi but are more closely related to some of the cichlid fish that live in the rivers that flow into Lake Malawi.

Now that may seem like something that would only interest scientists working in colleges and universities.

But it probably explains to aquarists, why this fish species is so much less aggressive than other Mbunas.

Because Labidochromis are much milder fish than Mbunas, they are more popular and live in aquariums all over the world.

Maximum Size: In aquariums, Electric Yellows can grow to be about 4" long, including their tails, which is a very nice size for aquariums.

Behaviors: Electric Yellows are usually aggressive fish and from time to time males have long energetic battles.

But Electric Yellows are not as aggressive as most other Mbunas, which are often very aggressive.

Compatibility: Some recommended tank mates include, other less aggressive Mbuna species and Synodontis Catfish. Click here for more about Synodontis Catfish.

Click here to read more about compatible groups of pet fish.

Temperature: this fish and all Mbunas live best from about 75 to 80-degrees F. with 78 being perhaps ideal.

Click here to learn about aquarium temperature, aquarium thermometers, and aquarium heaters.

Feeding: Premium Fish Food Pellets is best to feed to Mbunas. Smaller sized pellets when these fish are small, and larger sized pellets when they grow bigger.

Click here to learn more about and shop online for premium fish foods.

Water Conditions: Lake Malawi has hard alkaline water and that is best for all the fish like these, whose ancestors lived there.

But these fish can adapt to most types of water in the US, and so as usual it's best not to try to change the pH or hardness.

Click here for a lot more information about aquarium water conditions.

Aquarium Size: Mbunas like this Electric Yellow, will eventually need to live in an aquarium with at least 80-gallons of water.

Each Mbuna will need at least 5-gallons of water, and Mbunas live best in an aquarium with at least 15 other Mbunas of about the same size.

Decor: Mbunas do not need gravel, and a layer of gravel more than 1/4" thick will usually fill with bits of uneaten food that will contaminate the water.

Click here for more about aquarium gravel.

Live plants are beautiful and improve the water quality, but Mbunas are diggers and will usually dig plants up, so most Mbuna aquariums do not have live plants.

Mbunas love rocks and rocky caves.

Aquarium Filter: Bio-Wheel Filters are highly recommended. Most 80-gallon aquariums have room along the back for two Penguin 350B Filters, and this is sort of a minimal Mbuna set up.

Better is a 100, 120, or 150-gallon aquarium with as many Penguin 350B Filters as will fit across the back.

Click here to learn more about aquarium filters.

The addition of Lava Rocks will keep nitrates in the ideal range. Click here to learn more about using Lava Rocks in aquariums.

Life Span: this fish and all Mbunas can live for several years. Keep the water conditions excellent and feed them premium foods, and they will most likely live for many years, breed, and produce the next generation of fish for your aquarium.

Gender: It's difficult to tell males from females, when they're small, but easy when they are mature.

The males become a brighter yellow, while the female usually stays a duller yellow.

Breeding: Electric Yellows and all Mbunas are mouthbrooders. A female lays eggs, a male fertilizes the eggs, and the female picks up the eggs in her mouth.

She will brood them in her mouth for about 3-weeks, and then release them in the aquarium. They are miniature versions of their parents and very cute!

Click here to read more about breeding mouthbrooders.

Click here for a lot more about breeding various tropical fish in aquariums.

Popularity: Since the 1960s Electric Yellows from Lake Malawi have been very popular aquarium fish.

Names: The scientific name for Electric Yellow is Labidochromis caeruleus.

Variations: There are some variations of the Electric Yellow Cichlid in Lake Malawi.

In particular there are variations with and without a black horizontal band through the top fin.

Click here for a lot more information about keeping and caring for Mbunas, including a picture gallery.

We hope you've enjoyed reading these comments.

DrTom - 01/29/2015