''Labidochromis'' is a

genus Genus (; : genera ) is a taxonomic rank above species and below family (taxonomy), family as used in the biological classification of extant taxon, living and fossil organisms as well as Virus classification#ICTV classification, viruses. In bino ...

cichlid Cichlids () are a large, diverse, and widespread family of percomorph fish in the family Cichlidae, order Cichliformes. At least 1,760 species have been scientifically described, making it one of the largest vertebrate families, with on ...

fish that are

endemic Endemism is the state of a species being found only in a single defined geographic location, such as an island, state, nation, country or other defined zone; organisms that are indigenous to a place are not endemic to it if they are also foun ...

Lake Malawi Lake Malawi, also known as Lake Nyasa in Tanzania and Lago Niassa in Mozambique, () is an African Great Lakes, African Great Lake and the southernmost lake in the East African Rift system, located between Malawi, Mozambique and Tanzania. It is ...

East Africa East Africa, also known as Eastern Africa or the East of Africa, is a region at the eastern edge of the Africa, African continent, distinguished by its unique geographical, historical, and cultural landscape. Defined in varying scopes, the regi ...

. The genus includes 18 formally described species, and several yet

undescribed species In taxonomy, an undescribed taxon is a taxon (for example, a species) that has been discovered, but not yet formally described and named. The various Nomenclature Codes specify the requirements for a new taxon to be validly described and named. U ...

. It includes a number of species commonly kept in cichlid

aquarium An aquarium (: aquariums or aquaria) is a vivarium of any size having at least one transparent side in which aquatic plants or animals are kept and displayed. fishkeeping, Fishkeepers use aquaria to keep fish, invertebrates, amphibians, aquati ...

s such as '' L. caeruleus'' (electric yellow). The species in this genus can easily hybridize, so if kept in an aquarium it is recommended to only have one species from this genus.

Species

There are currently 18 recognized species in this genus: * ''

Labidochromis caeruleus ''Labidochromis caeruleus'' is a species of cichlid endemic to the central western coastal region of Lake Malawi in East Africa. It is also known as lemon yellow lab, the blue streak hap, the electric yellow or yellow prince, depending on the c ...

'' Fryer, 1956 (Blue streak hap) * '' Labidochromis chisumulae'' D. S. C. Lewis, 1982 * ''

Labidochromis flavigulis The Chisumulu pearl (''Labidochromis flavigulis'') is a species of cichlid endemic to Lake Malawi where it is only known to occur in areas with rocky substrates around Likoma Island and Chisumulu Island. This species can reach a length of SL ...

'' D. S. C. Lewis, 1982 (Chisumulu pearl) * ''

Labidochromis freibergi ''Labidochromis freibergi'' is a species of cichlid endemic to Lake Malawi where it is only known to occur around Likoma Island in areas with rocky substrates. This species grows to a length of TL. The specific name of this species honours the ...

'' D. S. Johnson, 1974 * ''

Labidochromis gigas ''Labidochromis gigas'' is a species of cichlid endemic to Lake Malawi where it is only known to occur in areas with rocky substrates around Likoma Island and Chisumulu Island. This species can reach a length of SL. It can also be found in t ...

'' D. S. C. Lewis, 1982 * ''

Labidochromis heterodon ''Labidochromis heterodon'' is a species of cichlid endemic to Lake Malawi where it is only known to occur around Boadzulu Island. This species can reach a length of SL. It can also be found in the aquarium trade. References heterodon ...

'' D. S. C. Lewis, 1982 * ''

Labidochromis ianthinus ''Labidochromis ianthinus'' is a species of cichlid endemic to Lake Malawi where it is only known to occur around the Mbenji Islands. This species can reach a length of TL. It can also be found in the aquarium An aquarium (: aquariums ...

'' D. S. C. Lewis, 1982 * ''

Labidochromis lividus ''Labidochromis lividus'' is a species of cichlid endemic to Lake Malawi where it is only known to occur over rocky substrates along the western coast of Likoma Island. This species can reach a length of SL. It can also be found in the aquari ...

'' D. S. C. Lewis, 1982 * ''

Labidochromis maculicauda ''Labidochromis maculicauda'' is a species of cichlid endemic to Lake Malawi where it is only known from the northwestern coast. It prefers rocky areas and lives in shallow waters down to a depth of about . This species can reach a length of ...

'' D. S. C. Lewis, 1982 * ''

Labidochromis mathotho ''Labidochromis mathotho'' is a species of cichlid endemic to Lake Malawi Lake Malawi, also known as Lake Nyasa in Tanzania and Lago Niassa in Mozambique, () is an African Great Lakes, African Great Lake and the southernmost lake in the East ...

'' W. E. Burgess & H. R. Axelrod, 1976 * ''

Labidochromis mbenjii ''Labidochromis mbenjii'' is a species of cichlid endemic to Lake Malawi where it is only known to occur in the area around the Mbenji Islands. This species can reach a length of SL. It can also be found in the aquarium An aquarium (: ...

'' D. S. C. Lewis, 1982 * ''

Labidochromis mylodon ''Labidochromis mylodon'' is a species of cichlid endemic to Lake Malawi where it is only known to occur around Mumbo Island. This species can reach a length of TL. It is also found in the aquarium trade and is also raised as a food fish. Re ...

'' D. S. C. Lewis, 1982 * ''

Labidochromis pallidus ''Labidochromis pallidus'' is a species of cichlid endemic to Lake Malawi where it is only known to occur around the Maleri Islands and around Thumbi West Island. This species can reach a length of SL. It can also be found in the aquarium ...

'' D. S. C. Lewis, 1982 * ''

Labidochromis perlmutt ''Labidochromis'' is a genus of cichlid fish that are endemic to Lake Malawi in East Africa. The genus includes 18 formally described species, and several yet undescribed species. It includes a number of species commonly kept in cichlid aquariu ...

'' * ''

Labidochromis shiranus ''Labidochromis shiranus'' is a species of cichlid endemic to Lake Malawi where it is only known to occur along the western coast of the southeastern arm of the lake. This species can reach a length of SL. It can also be found in the aquarium ...

'' D. S. C. Lewis, 1982 * ''

Labidochromis strigatus ''Labidochromis strigatus'' is a species of cichlid endemic to Lake Malawi where it is only known to occur in areas with rocky substrates around Likoma Island and Chisumulu Island. This species can reach a length of SL. It can also be found ...

'' D. S. C. Lewis, 1982 * ''

Labidochromis textilis ''Labidochromis textilis'' is a species of cichlid endemic to Lake Malawi Lake Malawi, also known as Lake Nyasa in Tanzania and Lago Niassa in Mozambique, () is an African Great Lakes, African Great Lake and the southernmost lake in the East ...

'' M. K. Oliver, 1975 * '' Labidochromis vellicans'' Trewavas, 1935 * '' Labidochromis zebroides'' D. S. C. Lewis, 1982 There is also one potentially undescribed species: * '' Labidochromis sp. Hongi''

References

{{Taxonbar, from=Q134088 Haplochromini Cichlid genera * Taxa named by Ethelwynn Trewavas