Yellow Labs

[CluelessScot]

Hi all,

So my tanks up and running now (yay finally) I currently have 1 male lab thats around 2" and 2 Small labs around 0.5". They all seem to get on well and then tonite i went into the fish shop and there she was, a nice sized (2") yellow lab. So i bought it and took it home and put her in the tank. Within 5 mins the male was chasing here up and down the whole length of the tank. I say chasing but im not sure if they are just showing or what? The male has gone really yellow and his fins are jet black and the females gone really orange/yellow. They just swim back and forth but is this just playful labs or 2 fish "getting it on" or is the male harassing the female. Also sometimes the 2 small labs join in the lengths but are soon chased back into the rocks...

If anyone who keeps labs could let me know whats happening and/or what to expect next that would be great,

Thanks

Kev

 

[adambrum]

I would get some pics at a guess the female you brought might be a bit of a cross breed it should not be orange at all, the male and female are identical in appearance with the only real way to sex them is by venting( checking there bits,its easy ).

The behavior sounds like normal lab stuff, you will know if there getting it on because of the shake the male will do in front of the female until you have seen it its difficult to explain.

 

[helterskelter]

This is normal when adding fish as the original fish have their area's set up and the new fish will up set them, the bright colour are to show the new fish who's boss and to stay away...

Thing will settel down over time, but like said above theia quite difficualt to sex, the male to have intence colours so ur male is a true male.

Some younger males have egg spots on the anal fin. but this is not 100% true as some have none, and I've even seen them on females as well.

 

[CluelessScot]

my male has an egg spot so i guess that he is deffo a he. Things has settled tonite, they were next to each other this morning when i put the lights on so they aint going to kill each other ill leave them be and see what comes of it... Hopefully some babes one day

Kev

 

[spikeyboy]

Just because it has egg spots does`nt mean it`s a male.Males and females have egg spots.The only way to find out for certain is to vent them or catch them doing the deed and see who`s laying eggs.Wiyh my 2 labs i saw her laying ,so i know which is which.I find with my cichlids the fish that`s doing the shaking is usually the male.

 

[spikeyboy]

Just because it has egg spots does`nt mean it`s a male.Males and females have egg spots.The only way to find out for certain is to vent them or catch them doing the deed and see who`s laying eggs.Wiyh my 2 labs i saw her laying ,so i know which is which.I find with my cichlids the fish that`s doing the shaking is usually the male.

Sorry for double post.Please delete