Electric Yellow Holding Fry?

[starsatnight]

hi there - i have 4 electric yellow labs. they were all hand raised by a friend of mine and from two different tanks. the older two cichlids are probably just over 2 years old and i believe that the larger one may be holding fry/eggs in it's mouth. i say "it's" because i'm not quite sure how to sex the cichlids. i thought i had 2 males.

anyway - the throat just under/behind the pectoral fins is quite swollen and the face has recently gotten a "dusting" of light black coloured patches. also - tonight i've noticed the cichlid did not eat and is hiding in a log. the somewhat alarming bit of this all is that the cichlid seems to be gasping or panting. i tested the water and all is within normal parameters and none of the other fish in the tank seem to be panting or gasping at all.

any help would be much appreciated.

i have some pictures and i'll try to post soon.

 

[kj23502]

here's a decent video of a holding fish to give you reference.

http/www.youtube.com/watch?v=VfSC6b1rVZ0

 

[starsatnight]

here's a decent video of a holding fish to give you reference.

well - the gasping looks familiar... that makes me feel better. however, the swelling in the throat is a bit further back on my cichlid.

i guess my 'male' is a female and that she's holding a mouthful of eggs. i've been peering in her mouth for little black spots - but there are none to be seen yet. from what i've read - this can go on for several weeks. is that correct?

it's strange. she's normally quite a shy fish - but when i try to look at her now - she comes towards me.

thanks for the help.

 

[kj23502]

http/www.cichlid-forum.com/articles/mala...ds_breeding.php

 

[starsatnight]

great article! thank you.....

 

[kj23502]

You're welcome