Please Help Identify! I'm a beginner :/

[klwebb]

Hey Guys...I'm new to fish keeping and was wondering if someone could identify this fish for me. I've attached 2 pictures for your viewing. The fish store that sold it to me told me it was a juvenile male (he said it was a male because of the red coloring behind its head and that females do not get this), however, I'm having my doubts. I was wondering if it could be a female and be (newly) holding? For the past 3 days it has not eaten, or open its mouth, and hides behind the main, large piece of holey rock in my tank. It comes out every now and again, which is how I got the pic...but never swims around the tank...only circles in front and around the back of the holey rock. I also do not have a male in the tank that looks like this female, but I do have other African males in the tank, so could this fish be cross-breeding with another male? Again...I may sound dumb...but I am new to all of this so please bare with me! Thank you so much for your time and help!

[gotticgs]

some kind of peacock looks female

[geoff_tropheus]

It does look like it has something in its mouth, but how big is this fish?

[Darbex]

Looks like a holding female Red German peacock or Red shoulder

http://www.cichlid-forum.com/profiles/species.php?id=1313

[Darbex]

Peacocks will mate with any other peacocks and your description of attitude is the same as a holding female.

[klwebb]

Thanks everyone for your help! The fish is about 3" long. Isn't crossbreeding bad with African cichlids? How will I know which male she spawned with? I'm guessing I'll have to wait until they grow a reasonable size? I do have 2 multi catfish in the tank as well and noticed that one was pretty large in the tummy (this has happened twice) and now its not anymore...so maybe she could have some of those babies as well? I read that they wait until a mouthbrooding cichlid lays eggs and then they eat the eggs and lay theirs in place of them so that the cichlid "incubates" them in her mouth. So should I pull her out of the tank? If not, at what point should I? And what am I gonna do with all these babies!! Yikes! Sooo shouldn't have listened to that guy at the fish store! He told me it was FOR SURE a male! I guess I can blame him, but the only person really at blame here is me for not knowing more about the breed!
Thanks again to everyone for your help!
Kristi

[marauder_77868]

Where did you purchase the fish?

[klwebb]

I bought it at the Fish Bowl and More in Pearland...won't be going there again! I am a big fan of Aquazoo...the lady who owns it (along with her husband) has been so nice and helpful to me! I can't say enough good about the two of them. They always make time for each customer and never make you feel rushed! They also took the time to educate me about the fish I buy from their store. She also now knows which species I have in my tank and tells me which of the Africans are compatible. Great place for a beginner!

[klwebb]

So, a few questions are unanswered:

What do I do with all the babies...I don't have room for more in my tank!? (does anyone usually want them (since they're not "purebred", or can I take them to a LFS for store credit?)

And how many (babies) do they usually have?

Should I separate the mother (I only have an extra 5 gallon tank at this time...is it too small if she is the only one in there?)? She is only about 3-3.5" If so, when?

Is it true that FEMALE german red's, or red shoulder's do have red on their chest (assuming that's what this fish is)? I think I was misinformed by the guy at the fish store...but I would like to know from a more reliable source...you guys!!

Thanks a million!

[geoff_tropheus]

A female peacock can spit out 30 or more fry.

Sometimes female peacocks do have color in them.

[cichlid1409]

So, a few questions are unanswered:

What do I do with all the babies...I don't have room for more in my tank!? (does anyone usually want them (since they're not "purebred", or can I take them to a LFS for store credit?)
alot of people on here like oddballs so you could probably get rid of them if the LFS wont take 'em just don't expect to get alot of $$ for them.

And how many (babies) do they usually have?
depends on her size but anywhere from 10-30

Should I separate the mother (I only have an extra 5 gallon tank at this time...is it too small if she is the only one in there?)? She is only about 3-3.5" If so, when?
this is what i would do.....if shes not getting beat up leave her in there until about 3 weeks since you first saw her holding eggs, then put her in the 5g with a lid. she'll spit around 4 weeks and eventually stop taking the babies back in. then you can put her back in the original tank and start over and do it again.

Is it true that FEMALE german red's, or red shoulder's do have red on their chest (assuming that's what this fish is)? I think I was misinformed by the guy at the fish store...but I would like to know from a more reliable source...you guys!!
I used to have a pair of red shoulders but i dont remember the female having any red on her. but that was years ago ...drank alot of beer since then

Thanks a million!

hope that helps....

[klwebb]

Thanks to Geoff and Cichlid1409 for all your help...and by the way Cichlid1409...I grew up in Aggieland!!! LOVE the General Patton quote! Unfortunately they had no nursing school when I was in college (although I believe they do now) and so I had to betray my roots and go to UT-Health Science Center at Houston after I finished my core classes at A&M. I know...you don't even have to say it...I should be beaten!

[geoff_tropheus]

[klwebb]

I like your addition Geoff!

[geoff_tropheus]

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