Yellow Labidos

[5teady_2012]

How do you sex them, is there a way of telling them apart?

Is it normal for them to hide in the coral in a new tank (tank has been cycled long time)

How often do they breed?

If you can answer any of the above for me, i will appreciate very much

 

[caboose_122]

hi 5teady

yellow labs are very hard to sex, the only sure way is to see them breeding.

depends how big is the tank? and when were they put in, it usually takes a few days for them to get used to there new home

yellow labs will breed lots, im guessing once every month or two

regards
alex

 

[5teady_2012]

Thanks alex, i put them in today, the tank itself was full of community fish but i have moved them and put the labidos in this tank now..

Its only 2ft long m8, thats why i have only 5 in it and ainit putting anything else in with them (or is there something else i could put it?)

here is a few pic m8..

 

[caboose_122]

i would recomend a minimum size tank of 4 feet

 

[5teady_2012]

i would recomend a minimum size tank of 4 feet

For only 5?

Cant do it m8, not enough room and aint got time yet to setup another one in the garage, there is already my 4ft one in the garage but i need to sort out a leak in one of the corners of the garage before i can add anymore tanks..


This 2ft one has only 5 in it and i aint adding anymore, i was told 5 would be fine as long as thats all i keep in it.

 

[fry_lover]

How do you sex them, is there a way of telling them apart?

No idea mate

Is it normal for them to hide in the coral in a new tank (tank has been cycled long time)

Certainly would be, might take them a few days to settle

How often do they breed?

I have 6, no breeding in over 6 months, and loads of other Malawi breed for me, i might have x6 males not sure

If you can answer any of the above for me, i will appreciate very much

 

[fry_lover]

i would recomend a minimum size tank of 4 feet

For only 5?

Cant do it m8, not enough room and aint got time yet to setup another one in the garage, there is already my 4ft one in the garage but i need to sort out a leak in one of the corners of the garage before i can add anymore tanks..


This 2ft one has only 5 in it and i aint adding anymore, i was told 5 would be fine as long as thats all i keep in it.

I hear what Caboose is saying, a 48" tank is a good starting size for a Malawi set-up, but your not exactly doomed to failure here, just keep a watchful eye and upgrade as required if you still got the Malawi bug.

Your chances for problems are greater with 2 foot in terms of aggression, one female might not want to breed and be harassed and obviously have less space to find shelter.

Yellow labs have a deserved rep for being one of the more peaceful Mbuna but that doesnt mean they are passive like a corydoras! I sometimes see my Yellow Labs going hammer and tongs with each other, no damage caused just a load of argy-bargy and going round each other in circles until one gives up lol, and my tanks big enough for the "loser" of the "stare you out" competition to go and take a time out for a while

If you get the Malawi bug, i predict you will turf out some of your community fish and set up a 4-footer Malawi!!!! You heard it here first

 

[dthoffsett]

Just keep a really close eye on them, I started out with 6 l.caeruleus in a 2-ft and once they reached sexual maturity, the male quickly killed all but two females. They spawned in the tank several time, and if any of the fry got over 1.5" one of the adults would kill them. So, yes even though they are considered peaceful, an inadequate sized tank can lead to deaths.

Here's an article for venting, which other than observing spawning, is the only realiable way to sex them.

[URL="http/www.cichlid-forum.com/articles/gender.php"]http/www.cichlid-forum.com/articles/gender.php[/URL]