zebra holding eggs?

[rdmpe]

This is my first cichlid tank, 55 g with 11 various mbuna. One that I'm pretty sure is a yellow zebra may be holding eggs in her mouth. Problem is, I'm not even sure if it is a female...

For the last two weeks or so, this fish hasn't been eating as far as I can tell. It is hanging around it's rock cave even when all the other fish are having a feeding frenzy. And it is the second largest fish in the tank, and I haven't noticed any other significant aggression problems as there are tons of hiding places throughout the rocks in the tank.

It's hard to get a good look at it, but it seems like it may have a slight bulge under it's chin. I may try to get a picture, but it will be very difficult. How long before it will start eating again? WIll the fry survive in the tank? I won't be able to catch her or them, too many rocks and I'm not willing to tear the whole tank apart...

Thanks,
Randy

[jimbo]

If it’s holding eggs you can be pretty sure it’s a female, I have never heard of a male mbuna holding eggs… yet.
It is normal behaviour for a female to hide and stop eating while she’s carrying eggs.
After three weeks or so she will release the fry and start eating again.
Whether how much fry will survive in a tank with other mbunas is hard to tell.
Only the smartest and strongest will stand a change against the rest.
In my own tank never more than 5 have ever made it to ¾ of an inch.

Jimmy

[rdmpe]

So does it sound to you like she's holding eggs? What are the signs other than she stops eating?

Thanks! I'm excited to see some fry!

[nattybrack]

I just had my second birth's the other day. I have a friebergi, who, in her 2nd week of birth, her cheeks got a green color on them. She gave birth a week or so later and now the green is gone. I've heard that when the females are holding they may display their "true" and most vibrant colors. Either that or she was just embarrassed for having such big cheeks. :D As far as survival rates... I thought all but one of my fry were goners, I cleaned the tank last night, taking all the rocks out, except for one or two around the fry, and there were fry all over the place. So, just cause you can't see 'em doesn't mean their not there. Best of luck, and congrats!

[jimbo]

Basically the symptoms mentioned before like stop eating and hiding, could be an indication that a female is holding eggs. An other sign to look for, besides the slight bulge under her chin which you mentioned, is, it will look like she’s chewing on something. Don’t worry, she’s just rearranging the eggs in her mouth. When all the signs above are present, there’s no doubt you’re going to be a ”daddy” within a 1 or 2 weeks.

Jimmy