Yellow lab holding unfertilized eggs?

[csmock]

So... I got 2 yellow labs a while back. The one was much larger and really seemed to be dominant in the tank. The LFS told me it was definitely a male and I could tell by the Black Stripe on his dorsal fin (I have since come to find out that isn't true), however, he did seem to take over the tank and keep everyone in line.

He was getting a bit fatter and I was afraid there might be a case of bloat coming on. However, I came in to work this morning, and he is no longer fat, but has a mouth full of eggs!!!! So much for "him" being the dominant male in the tank.

I do not think the other Lab is a male either, so I am just wondering do Cichlids still lay eggs and hold them even if they aren't fertilized?

[Dan Woodland]

I'm going to go out on limb and suggest it is a female not a male. I know some Cichlids will "change sex" when needed but I'm pretty sure Labidochromis sp. is not one of them - irregardless it's a female whether it "turned" or not, it laid eggs. Your other fish may be a male, you'll know if fry result.

[steveh28]

Back in the days when I was in college, I had a mixed mbuna tank. My Yellow lab female ran the tank like yours. She would hold eggs from time to time, usually only for 2 or 3 days. I am fairly certain the eggs were no good and were breaking down, so she would get rid of them or eat them.

I have read on other forums that others have had mbuna in isolation and suddenly holding eggs.

In your situation, if there are other males of any mbuna/hap/peacock, you could have had something else mate with her.

[Kyle May]

Maybe your other lab is a male.
I watch for a week or so and if she doesn't spit them before then,
you may want to strip to see if you've got fry.

km

[csmock]

Thanks for the replies....

How exactly do you strip a fish?

[Kyle May]

There are several different methods.

One is to insert an object into the females mouth (after netting her of course) and then allow the babies to simply swim out.
Usually you are stripping her in a fry tank or a fry keeper of some sort. Objects used by club members include: toothpicks, ballpoint pens,
pencils, paperclips, and a spoon.

Another method, if the fish is small enough, is to remove the bulb from a turkey baster, insert the fish into the baster, and then
put the bulb back on and pump the little fry out of her.

A third method involves opening her mouth with your thumb and swishing her backwards through the water.

Whatever method you use, make sure that you are gentle and respect the fish. You don't want to damage the fish for obvious reasons,
but also because she may not be able to breed again if you hurt the fish's jaw.

We'll have to get an article going with a step by step on this one. Having someone show you haow this is done or at least seeing some pics
will make it easier to understand.

Kyle