Does my fish look like its carry babies

[Michelle150]

Hi all a few weeks ago I noticed I had a new addition to my tank and today Ive looked and I think another one is carrying? It's staying away from the other fish and has a bulge under its mouth.
Thanks in advance

 

[Michelle150]

Hi all a few weeks ago I noticed I had a new addition to my tank and today Ive looked and I think another one is carrying? It's staying away from the other fish and has a bulge under its mouth.
Thanks in advance

 

[CaptainBarnicles]

I've got no idea what I'm looking at...

 

[Michelle150]

I've got no idea what I'm looking at...

 

[Deleted member 149562]

Did you mean "babies" in the title?

 

[Michelle150]

Did you mean "babies" in the title?

Yes lol

 

[Deleted member 149562]

Yes lol

That explains the confusion then.

Hopefully those with mouthbrooding fish can help you out

 

[GaryE]

She is carrying, for certain. She's a primitive mouthbrooder, which means she'll hold the eggs and larvae, not eating for the duration, and dump out the fully formed fry once. She won't pick them back up again and again, and make her mouth a nest the way West African and South American mouthbrooders do.

 

[Michelle150]

She is carrying, for certain. She's a primitive mouthbrooder, which means she'll hold the eggs and larvae, not eating for the duration, and dump out the fully formed fry once. She won't pick them back up again and again, and make her mouth a nest the way West African and South American mouthbrooders do.

Thank you, I did think so, Is it best I move her to a breeding box?

 

[GaryE]

Breeding boxes will usually make her swallow the eggs or larvae. She needs hiding places for protection. In nature, there are predators specialized in knocking the fry out of her mouth and eating them, and no time in captivity will take that fear/instinct away. You can look at a video that explains 'stripping' a brooding female if you want a lot of fry and are worried about her weight loss since she won't eat with a brood. Or, you can try to save some fry when they are released. That's harder. Depending on the species in with her, with cover, some fry can grow up in the tank.

 

[Michelle150]

Breeding boxes will usually make her swallow the eggs or larvae. She needs hiding places for protection. In nature, there are predators specialized in knocking the fry out of her mouth and eating them, and no time in captivity will take that fear/instinct away. You can look at a video that explains 'stripping' a brooding female if you want a lot of fry and are worried about her weight loss since she won't eat with a brood. Or, you can try to save some fry when they are released. That's harder. Depending on the species in with her, with cover, some fry can grow up in the tank.

Thank you for the advice much appreciated