AquariumSetup

cichlid · freshwater

Electric Yellow Lab: adult size, tank size & tankmates

The Electric Yellow Lab (Labidochromis caeruleus) grows to about 4.7 in (10 cm SL). It needs a tank at least 36 inches long and about 41 gallons. Keep at least 4 together, at 75–82°F.

Try it in the tank builderSee tankmates

How big it really gets

Drawn to scale against common tank lengths. Green bars meet the minimum tank length from our sources.

Adult: about 4.7 in · needs 36 in of tank10 gal · 20 in ✕20 long / 29 · 30 in ✕40 breeder · 36 in ✓55 / 75 gal · 48 in ✓125 gal · 72 in ✓
Needs special care. Frequently mis-sold into soft-water neutral community aquaria where water chemistry fails and smaller species are killed.

Will it fit your tank?

Check a full stocking list →

Quick facts

Adult size
4.7 in (10 cm SL)
Minimum tank
36 inches long and about 41 gallons
Temperature
75–82°F
pH
7.7–8.6
Hardness
10–25 dGH
Group size
4+
With other fish
semi-aggressive
With its own kind
semi-aggressive
Swims
bottom of the tank
Diet
omnivore
Care level
intermediate
Lifespan
not stated in sources

Watch for: nips fins · eats small fish · eats shrimp · eats snails

Electric Yellow Lab tankmates

Checked with the same rules as our tank builder: temperature overlap, pH and hardness, predation and mouth size, fin-nipping and temperament. Tank size is left out here; check it in the builder.

Good tankmates

Use caution

Avoid

All 105 species we checked against the Electric Yellow Lab
SpeciesVerdictWhy
Bala SharkCompatibleNo conflicts found
Bronze CoryCompatibleNo conflicts found
Buenos Aires TetraCompatibleNo conflicts found
Chinese Algae EaterCompatibleNo conflicts found
Convict CichlidCompatibleNo conflicts found
Denison BarbCompatibleNo conflicts found
Electric Blue AcaraCompatibleNo conflicts found
Firemouth CichlidCompatibleNo conflicts found
Giant DanioCompatibleNo conflicts found
Kissing GouramiCompatibleNo conflicts found
MollyCompatibleNo conflicts found
Pea PufferCompatibleNo conflicts found
Rainbow SharkCompatibleNo conflicts found
Red-Tail SharkCompatibleNo conflicts found
Scissortail RasboraCompatibleNo conflicts found
SwordtailCompatibleNo conflicts found
Three-spot GouramiCompatibleNo conflicts found
Tiger BarbCompatibleNo conflicts found
African Dwarf FrogCautionElectric Yellow Lab can bully smaller, peaceful African Dwarf Frog.; Electric Yellow Lab (pH 7.7–8.6) and African Dwarf Frog (pH 6.6–7.4) prefer different pH.
AngelfishCautionElectric Yellow Lab nips fins, and Angelfish has long fins.; Electric Yellow Lab (pH 7.7–8.6) and Angelfish (pH 6–7.4) prefer different pH.
Black Neon TetraCautionElectric Yellow Lab can bully smaller, peaceful Black Neon Tetra.; Electric Yellow Lab (pH 7.7–8.6) and Black Neon Tetra (pH 5.5–7.5) prefer different pH.
Black Skirt TetraCautionElectric Yellow Lab (pH 7.7–8.6) and Black Skirt Tetra (pH 6–7) prefer different pH.
Bleeding Heart TetraCautionElectric Yellow Lab can bully smaller, peaceful Bleeding Heart Tetra.; Electric Yellow Lab (pH 7.7–8.6) and Bleeding Heart Tetra (pH 4–7.5) prefer different pH.
Blood Parrot CichlidCautionElectric Yellow Lab (pH 7.7–8.6) and Blood Parrot Cichlid (pH 6.5–7.4) prefer different pH.
Boesemani RainbowfishCautionElectric Yellow Lab and Boesemani Rainbowfish only share 81–82°F. That's a tight window.
Bolivian RamCautionElectric Yellow Lab (pH 7.7–8.6) and Bolivian Ram (pH 6–7.5) prefer different pH.
Bristlenose PlecoCautionElectric Yellow Lab (pH 7.7–8.6) and Bristlenose Pleco (pH 5.5–7.5) prefer different pH.
Bumblebee GobyCautionElectric Yellow Lab can bully smaller, peaceful Bumblebee Goby.
Cardinal TetraCautionElectric Yellow Lab can bully smaller, peaceful Cardinal Tetra.; Electric Yellow Lab (pH 7.7–8.6) and Cardinal Tetra (pH 3.5–7.5) prefer different pH.
Cherry BarbCautionElectric Yellow Lab can bully smaller, peaceful Cherry Barb.
Clown KillifishCautionElectric Yellow Lab can bully smaller, peaceful Clown Killifish.; Electric Yellow Lab (pH 7.7–8.6) and Clown Killifish (pH 4–7) prefer different pH.
Clown LoachCautionElectric Yellow Lab (pH 7.7–8.6) and Clown Loach (pH 5–7) prefer different pH.
Clown PlecoCautionElectric Yellow Lab (pH 7.7–8.6) and Clown Pleco (pH 6.8–7.6) prefer different pH.
Cockatoo Dwarf CichlidCautionElectric Yellow Lab (pH 7.7–8.6) and Cockatoo Dwarf Cichlid (pH 5–6) prefer different pH.
Common / Comet GoldfishCautionElectric Yellow Lab and Common / Comet Goldfish only share 75–75°F. That's a tight window.
Common PlecoCautionElectric Yellow Lab (pH 7.7–8.6) and Common Pleco (pH 6–7.5) prefer different pH.
Congo TetraCautionElectric Yellow Lab nips fins, and Congo Tetra has long fins.; Electric Yellow Lab (pH 7.7–8.6) and Congo Tetra (pH 6–7.5) prefer different pH.
Diamond TetraCautionElectric Yellow Lab can bully smaller, peaceful Diamond Tetra.; Electric Yellow Lab (pH 7.7–8.6) and Diamond Tetra (pH 5.5–7) prefer different pH.
DiscusCautionElectric Yellow Lab (pH 7.7–8.6) and Discus (pH 5–7) prefer different pH.; Electric Yellow Lab (10–25 dGH) and Discus (0–5 dGH) prefer different water hardness.
Dwarf GouramiCautionElectric Yellow Lab nips fins, and Dwarf Gourami has long fins.; Electric Yellow Lab (pH 7.7–8.6) and Dwarf Gourami (pH 6–7.5) prefer different pH.
Dwarf Neon RainbowfishCautionElectric Yellow Lab (pH 7.7–8.6) and Dwarf Neon Rainbowfish (pH 6.8–7.5) prefer different pH.
Forktail Blue-eyeCautionElectric Yellow Lab can bully smaller, peaceful Forktail Blue-eye.
German Blue RamCautionElectric Yellow Lab and German Blue Ram only share 81–82°F. That's a tight window.; Electric Yellow Lab can bully smaller, peaceful German Blue Ram.
Glass CatfishCautionElectric Yellow Lab can bully smaller, peaceful Glass Catfish.; Electric Yellow Lab (pH 7.7–8.6) and Glass Catfish (pH 4–7) prefer different pH.
Glowlight TetraCautionElectric Yellow Lab can bully smaller, peaceful Glowlight Tetra.; Electric Yellow Lab (pH 7.7–8.6) and Glowlight Tetra (pH 5.5–7.5) prefer different pH.
Gold BarbCautionElectric Yellow Lab and Gold Barb only share 75–75°F. That's a tight window.
GuppyCautionElectric Yellow Lab nips fins, and Guppy has long fins.; Electric Yellow Lab can bully smaller, peaceful Guppy.
Harlequin RasboraCautionElectric Yellow Lab can bully smaller, peaceful Harlequin Rasbora.; Electric Yellow Lab (pH 7.7–8.6) and Harlequin Rasbora (pH 5–7.5) prefer different pH.
Head-and-tail-light TetraCautionElectric Yellow Lab can bully smaller, peaceful Head-and-tail-light Tetra.; Electric Yellow Lab (pH 7.7–8.6) and Head-and-tail-light Tetra (pH 5.5–7.5) prefer different pH.
Hillstream LoachCautionElectric Yellow Lab and Hillstream Loach only share 75–75°F. That's a tight window.; Electric Yellow Lab can bully smaller, peaceful Hillstream Loach.
Honey GouramiCautionElectric Yellow Lab nips fins, and Honey Gourami has long fins.; Electric Yellow Lab can bully smaller, peaceful Honey Gourami.
Julii CoryCautionElectric Yellow Lab can bully smaller, peaceful Julii Cory.; Electric Yellow Lab (pH 7.7–8.6) and Julii Cory (pH 5.8–7.2) prefer different pH.
KribensisCautionElectric Yellow Lab (pH 7.7–8.6) and Kribensis (pH 5–7.5) prefer different pH.
Kuhli LoachCautionElectric Yellow Lab (pH 7.7–8.6) and Kuhli Loach (pH 3.5–7) prefer different pH.; Electric Yellow Lab (10–25 dGH) and Kuhli Loach (0–8 dGH) prefer different water hardness.
Lambchop RasboraCautionElectric Yellow Lab can bully smaller, peaceful Lambchop Rasbora.; Electric Yellow Lab (pH 7.7–8.6) and Lambchop Rasbora (pH 5.5–7.5) prefer different pH.
Lemon TetraCautionElectric Yellow Lab can bully smaller, peaceful Lemon Tetra.; Electric Yellow Lab (pH 7.7–8.6) and Lemon Tetra (pH 5–7.5) prefer different pH.
Marbled HatchetfishCautionElectric Yellow Lab can bully smaller, peaceful Marbled Hatchetfish.; Electric Yellow Lab (pH 7.7–8.6) and Marbled Hatchetfish (pH 4–7) prefer different pH.
Moonlight GouramiCautionElectric Yellow Lab nips fins, and Moonlight Gourami has long fins.; Electric Yellow Lab (pH 7.7–8.6) and Moonlight Gourami (pH 6–7.5) prefer different pH.
Neon TetraCautionElectric Yellow Lab can bully smaller, peaceful Neon Tetra.; Electric Yellow Lab (pH 7.7–8.6) and Neon Tetra (pH 4–7.5) prefer different pH.
Odessa BarbCautionElectric Yellow Lab can bully smaller, peaceful Odessa Barb.
OscarCautionElectric Yellow Lab (pH 7.7–8.6) and Oscar (pH 6–7.5) prefer different pH.
OtocinclusCautionElectric Yellow Lab can bully smaller, peaceful Otocinclus.; Electric Yellow Lab (pH 7.7–8.6) and Otocinclus (pH 5.5–7.5) prefer different pH.
Panda CoryCautionElectric Yellow Lab can bully smaller, peaceful Panda Cory.; Electric Yellow Lab (pH 7.7–8.6) and Panda Cory (pH 6–7.4) prefer different pH.
Pearl DanioCautionElectric Yellow Lab can bully smaller, peaceful Pearl Danio.
Pearl GouramiCautionElectric Yellow Lab nips fins, and Pearl Gourami has long fins.
Penguin TetraCautionElectric Yellow Lab can bully smaller, peaceful Penguin Tetra.
Peppered CoryCautionElectric Yellow Lab (pH 7.7–8.6) and Peppered Cory (pH 6–7) prefer different pH.
Pictus CatfishCautionElectric Yellow Lab (pH 7.7–8.6) and Pictus Catfish (pH 5.8–6.8) prefer different pH.
PlatyCautionElectric Yellow Lab can bully smaller, peaceful Platy.
Pristella TetraCautionElectric Yellow Lab can bully smaller, peaceful Pristella Tetra.; Electric Yellow Lab (pH 7.7–8.6) and Pristella Tetra (pH 6–7.5) prefer different pH.
Pygmy CoryCautionElectric Yellow Lab can bully smaller, peaceful Pygmy Cory.; Electric Yellow Lab (pH 7.7–8.6) and Pygmy Cory (pH 6.4–7.4) prefer different pH.
Rosy BarbCautionElectric Yellow Lab and Rosy Barb only share 75–75°F. That's a tight window.
Rummy-nose TetraCautionElectric Yellow Lab can bully smaller, peaceful Rummy-nose Tetra.; Electric Yellow Lab (pH 7.7–8.6) and Rummy-nose Tetra (pH 5.5–7) prefer different pH.
Serpae TetraCautionElectric Yellow Lab (pH 7.7–8.6) and Serpae Tetra (pH 5–7.5) prefer different pH.
Siamese Algae EaterCautionElectric Yellow Lab (pH 7.7–8.6) and Siamese Algae Eater (pH 6–7.5) prefer different pH.
Silver HatchetfishCautionElectric Yellow Lab can bully smaller, peaceful Silver Hatchetfish.; Electric Yellow Lab (pH 7.7–8.6) and Silver Hatchetfish (pH 5–7.5) prefer different pH.
Silver Tip TetraCautionElectric Yellow Lab can bully smaller, peaceful Silver Tip Tetra.
Sparkling GouramiCautionElectric Yellow Lab can bully smaller, peaceful Sparkling Gourami.; Electric Yellow Lab (pH 7.7–8.6) and Sparkling Gourami (pH 5–7.5) prefer different pH.
Sterbai CoryCautionElectric Yellow Lab (pH 7.7–8.6) and Sterbai Cory (pH 6–7.6) prefer different pH.
Tinfoil BarbCautionElectric Yellow Lab (pH 7.7–8.6) and Tinfoil Barb (pH 6.5–7) prefer different pH.
Upside-down CatfishCautionElectric Yellow Lab (pH 7.7–8.6) and Upside-down Catfish (pH 6–7.5) prefer different pH.
Variatus PlatyCautionElectric Yellow Lab can bully smaller, peaceful Variatus Platy.
Yoyo LoachCautionElectric Yellow Lab (pH 7.7–8.6) and Yoyo Loach (pH 6–7.5) prefer different pH.
Zebra DanioCautionElectric Yellow Lab can bully smaller, peaceful Zebra Danio.
Amano ShrimpAvoidElectric Yellow Lab will eat Amano Shrimp.; Electric Yellow Lab (pH 7.7–8.6) and Amano Shrimp (pH 6–7) prefer different pH.
Assassin SnailAvoidElectric Yellow Lab eats snails, including Assassin Snail.
Bamboo ShrimpAvoidElectric Yellow Lab will eat Bamboo Shrimp.; Electric Yellow Lab (pH 7.7–8.6) and Bamboo Shrimp (pH 7–7.5) prefer different pH.
BettaAvoidElectric Yellow Lab nips fins, and Betta has long fins.
Celestial Pearl DanioAvoidElectric Yellow Lab eats small fish, and Celestial Pearl Danio only grows to about 1 in.; Electric Yellow Lab (pH 7.7–8.6) and Celestial Pearl Danio (pH 6.5–7.5) prefer different pH.
Cherry ShrimpAvoidElectric Yellow Lab will eat Cherry Shrimp.
Chili RasboraAvoidElectric Yellow Lab eats small fish, and Chili Rasbora only grows to about 0.9 in.; Electric Yellow Lab (pH 7.7–8.6) and Chili Rasbora (pH 4–7) prefer different pH.
Crystal Red ShrimpAvoidElectric Yellow Lab and Crystal Red Shrimp only share 75–76°F. That's a tight window.; Electric Yellow Lab will eat Crystal Red Shrimp.
Ember TetraAvoidElectric Yellow Lab eats small fish, and Ember Tetra only grows to about 0.9 in.; Electric Yellow Lab (pH 7.7–8.6) and Ember Tetra (pH 5–7) prefer different pH.
Endler's LivebearerAvoidElectric Yellow Lab eats small fish, and Endler's Livebearer only grows to about 1.2 in.
Fancy GoldfishAvoidElectric Yellow Lab (75–82°F) and Fancy Goldfish (50–70°F) need different temperatures.; Electric Yellow Lab nips fins, and Fancy Goldfish has long fins.
Ghost ShrimpAvoidElectric Yellow Lab will eat Ghost Shrimp.
Iridescent SharkAvoidIridescent Shark eats small fish, and Electric Yellow Lab only grows to about 4.7 in.; Electric Yellow Lab (pH 7.7–8.6) and Iridescent Shark (pH 6.5–7.5) prefer different pH.
Japanese Trapdoor SnailAvoidElectric Yellow Lab eats snails, including Japanese Trapdoor Snail.; Electric Yellow Lab (pH 7.7–8.6) and Japanese Trapdoor Snail (pH 6.5–7.3) prefer different pH.
Malaysian Trumpet SnailAvoidElectric Yellow Lab eats snails, including Malaysian Trumpet Snail.; Electric Yellow Lab (pH 7.7–8.6) and Malaysian Trumpet Snail (pH 7–7.5) prefer different pH.
Mystery SnailAvoidElectric Yellow Lab eats snails, including Mystery Snail.; Electric Yellow Lab (pH 7.7–8.6) and Mystery Snail (pH unknown) prefer different pH.
Nerite SnailAvoidElectric Yellow Lab eats snails, including Nerite Snail.
Paradise FishAvoidElectric Yellow Lab (75–82°F) and Paradise Fish (50–72°F) need different temperatures.
Ramshorn SnailAvoidElectric Yellow Lab eats snails, including Ramshorn Snail.
Weather LoachAvoidElectric Yellow Lab (75–82°F) and Weather Loach (64–74°F) need different temperatures.
White Cloud Mountain MinnowAvoidElectric Yellow Lab (75–82°F) and White Cloud Mountain Minnow (57–72°F) need different temperatures.; Electric Yellow Lab can bully smaller, peaceful White Cloud Mountain Minnow.

Care notes

Needs: Hard, alkaline Rift Lake chemistry; rocky cave-dense aquascape; high vegetable dietary fiber to prevent mbuna bloat.

Group: Harem structure mandatory; maintain 1 male with 3 or more females to disperse male sexual harassment.

Temperament: semi-aggressive toward other fish, semi-aggressive toward its own kind. Lives in the bottom of the tank.

Common questions

How big does a Electric Yellow Lab get?

About 4.7 inches (10 cm SL) as an adult, according to seriouslyfish.com.

What size tank does a Electric Yellow Lab need?

At least 36 inches long and about 41 gallons. The smallest standard tank that meets that is a 55 gallon.

How many Electric Yellow Labs should be kept together?

At least 4. Harem structure mandatory; maintain 1 male with 3 or more females to disperse male sexual harassment.

What fish can live with a Electric Yellow Lab?

Species that passed every check include Bronze Cory, Tiger Barb, Molly, Swordtail, Firemouth Cichlid, Buenos Aires Tetra.

Gear for a Electric Yellow Lab setup

TankSmallest standard tank that meets its minimum: 55 gallon (48 in long).Find on Amazon →HeaterAbout 300 W for 55 gallons, holding 75–82°F.Find on Amazon →FoodSinking food reaches the bottom before tankmates grab it.Find on Amazon →Test kitCheck ammonia, nitrite and pH. Cycle the tank before adding fish.Find on Amazon →

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Related guides

Cichlid tank guideCommunity tank fishTank stocking guideAcclimating new fish

Sources

Values come from these pages, in our own words. Status: verified. Last reviewed 2026-10-12.