Electrical Yellow Cichlid Tank Mates – 7 of the Greatest
Hailing from Lake Malawi in East Africa, Electrical yellow cichlids (aka. yellow labs) are understandably among the many hottest of all African cichlids. Their radiant lemon-yellow coloration can evoke the ambiance of a marine aquarium, particularly once they’re stored alongside different fish with contrasting colours.
However which kinds of fish are you able to efficiently hold them with? Electrical yellow cichlids are mbunas – one of the crucial aggressive sub-families of cichlids on the earth, so their tank mates have to be pretty powerful to coexist with them peacefully!
Then again, they’re additionally one of many smallest and extra peaceable of the mbunas, which means that giant, aggressive mbunas would possibly intimidate them. A cautious steadiness of dimension and aggression must be searched for the best tank mates, and I’ve provide you with 7 of the very best decisions right here.
7 of the Greatest Electrical Yellow Cichlid Tank Mates
Yellow-tailed Acei Cichlid
- Scientific Title: Pseudotropheus Acei
- Frequent Title: Acei Cichlid
- Measurement: 6 inches (15.2 cm)
- Weight loss program: Omnivore
- Minimal Tank Measurement: 55 Gallons
Acei cichlids are among the many best tank mates for yellow lab cichlids. Additionally from Lake Malawi, the blue physique mixed with a yellow tail make this a surprising species of mbuna. Some variants have white tails as an alternative of yellow and are often known as ‘white-tailed aceis’.
Though they develop barely bigger, aceis are much like yellow labs of their stage of aggression, which is strictly what you’re on the lookout for to create a harmonious setup!
Acei cichlids require comparable care and eating regimen to electrical yellow cichlids, which means they like largely plant-based meals. Be suggested that species may be particularly liable to a digestive dysfunction often known as ‘Malawi bloat’ if consumed too many meaty treats like bloodworms.
Electrical Blue Hap
- Scientific Title: Sciaenochromis fryeri
- Frequent Names: Electrical Blue Hap, Electrical Blue Ahli
- Measurement: 8 inches (20 cm)
- Weight loss program: Omnivore
- Minimal Tank Measurement: 125 Gallons
The attractive deep blue coloration of the male electric blue hap will distinction completely with the radiant yellow of the electrical yellow cichlid. In reality, retaining the colourful colours of those two species collectively may even resemble the depth of a reef aquarium!
The electrical blue cichlid displays sturdy sexual dimorphism – which means that men and women look fairly completely different. Whereas the males are usually an intense metallic blue, the females differ in coloration and might even be brownish-gray.
Though hap cichlids are sometimes much less aggressive than mbunas, some aquarists suggest not retaining a couple of male electrical blue hap in the identical tank to avoid territorial fighting.
Peacock Cichlid
- Scientific Title: Aulonocara
- Frequent Title: Peacock Cichlid
- Measurement: 4-6 inches
- Weight loss program: Omnivore
- Minimal Tank Measurement: 55 Gallons
Together with mbunas and haps, peacocks are the opposite most well-known sort of African cichlid. There are various completely different varieties, together with some which have been hybridized with mbunas to create widespread, brightly coloured types.
Naturally occurring peacocks embody Freiberg’s Peacock, Flavescent Peacock, and Blue Orchid Aulonocara. Man-made hybrids embody OB Peacock, Dragon Blood Peacock Cichlid, Flametail Peacock, and Strawberry Peacock Cichlid.
Since mbunas are usually extra aggressive than haps and peacocks, some aquarists have suggested not retaining them collectively. However as a result of yellow labs are one of the crucial peaceable mbunas they need to be appropriate so long as you give every fish loads of swimming house and hiding locations.
Demasoni Cichlid
- Scientific Title: Pseudotropheus demasoni
- Frequent Title: Demasoni Cichlid
- Measurement: 3 inches (7.5 cm)
- Weight loss program: Omnivorous
- Minimal Tank Measurement: 55 Gallons
Turning into ever extra widespread with cichlid fanatics, the Demasoni cichlid has stunning black and blue stripes and is claimed to be finest stored in bigger teams to handle their aggression.
These Lake Malawi cichlids solely develop as much as 3 inches lengthy, making them one of many smaller mbunas. Some folks even regard them as dwarf cichlids. This doesn’t make them any much less aggressive although!
Like most mbunas, Demasoni cichlids are feisty fish who will not be afraid to select a struggle with their neighbors. Fortunately they’re about an inch smaller than electrical yellow cichlids, to allow them to typically make a very good match. Simply control their habits, although!
Blue Dolphin Hap
- Scientific Title: Cyrtocara moorii
- Frequent Names: Blue Dolphin Cichlid, Malawi Blue Dolphin Cichlid, Hump-head
- Measurement: 9.8 inches (24.99 cm)
- Weight loss program: Carnivorous
- Minimal Tank Measurement: 125 Gallons
With their big ‘nuchal hump’ on their brow, it’s simple to see how these vivid blue cichlids obtained their frequent title.
Blue dolphin haps are one of many mild giants of the cichlid world. Despite the fact that they will develop to a whopping 10 inches lengthy, they are usually a surprisingly peaceable species and may be stored efficiently with smaller cichlids like yellow labs.
Due to their giant grownup dimension and energetic swimming habits, blue dolphin cichlids ought to solely be stored in very giant aquariums – it’d be merciless to maintain them in a tank any lower than 125 gallons.
Redfin Hap
- Scientific Title: Copadichromis borleyi
- Frequent Names: Redfin Hap, Crimson Fin Borleyi, Borleyi Hap, Borleyi Cichlid
- Measurement: 6 inches
- Weight loss program: Omnivorous
- Minimal Tank Measurement: 75 Gallons
Should you’re on the lookout for a vivid purple cichlid to go with the colourful yellow of your yellow lab, the redfin hap (aka. Borleyi hap) may very well be a sensible choice.
A singular and stunning-looking fish, an grownup redfin hap truly has a vivid purple physique with extra of a bluish head and fins. The title ‘redfin’ comes from the juveniles and females who’ve silver our bodies however purple fins.
Though they develop to a bigger dimension than an electrical yellow cichlid, these haps are famend for being pretty peaceable tankmates and are unlikely to trigger any bother for different species of cichlids.
Taiwan Reef Cichlid
- Scientific Title: Protomelas sp. Steveni Taiwan
- Frequent Title: Taiwan Reef Cichlid, Steveni Taiwan, Chimoto Reds
- Measurement: 7 inches
- Weight loss program: Omnivore
- Minimal Tank Measurement: 75 Gallons
With their electrical blue head and higher physique, mixed with a yellow-red underside and tail, Taiwan reef cichlids are an actual show-stopper. Though it seems to be extra like a peacock cichlid, this species belongs to the hap household.
These are sometimes quite extra peaceable fish than electrical yellow cichlids, however for the reason that Taiwan reef cichlid is considerably bigger, the 2 species will usually get alongside high quality.
Most African cichlids have to be clear to thrive, however the Taiwan reef cichlid is particularly choosy about water high quality. Be sure you have a very good filter and carry out common water adjustments to maintain them glad.
Fish That Shouldn’t Be Stored With Electrical Yellow Cichlids
Small or Delicate Fish Species
Though they’re one of the crucial peaceable mbunas, electrical yellow cichlids are nonetheless comparatively aggressive fish that mustn’t ever be stored with small or fragile tank mates.
Small education fish like tetras will doubtless be killed and even eaten in a short time by these omnivorous fish, and even bigger species like silver {dollars} and barbs are liable to get attacked.
Shell-dwelling African cichlids are additionally higher stored with peaceable haps and peacock cichlids than mbunas just like the yellow lab!
Fish Preferring Completely different Water Parameters
It should be remembered, too, that each one mbunas are from Lake Malawi, which has laborious, alkaline water, much like that of the opposite Nice Lakes of East Africa. All fish from these lakes want water parameters of round pH 7.5 – 8-5 and a hardness of roughly 12-25 gDH.
Whereas folks have generally steered retaining South American cichlids like rainbow cichlids and Jack Demsey cichlids with African cichlids, a majority of these cichlids desire tender, acidic water, and gained’t be glad within the laborious water setup of an African cichlid tank.
Fish That Want Vegetation
As a result of African cichlids (and particularly mbunas) like to dig up and eat vegetation, it’s very troublesome to maintain any reside vegetation with them! Their tanks are sometimes a stark format of rocks, with artificial vegetation as the one viable choice.
Fish that like to inhabit planted tanks equivalent to angelfish and keyhole cichlids gained’t be proud of the naked, open tanks that African cichlids reside in.
Discover Out Extra About Electrical Yellow Cichlids
To raised perceive what makes the right tank mates for yellow labs, it’s a good suggestion to get to know them inside out.
You’ll be able to study rather more concerning the fascinating world of those colourful fish from our devoted care information here.
