yellow lab

[jeff]

it looks like one of my females is holding. At least i have never seen one do that w/ her mouth. Kinda like not wanting to swallow something but having a full mouth.(reminds me of something else! how long does this go on. since she is in w/ other cichlids how do i remove her and when so the fry dont become lunch.

[phish]

how is big is she, mines doing that too. but she only about 2 inches.

[jeff]

about the same size as yours

[szidlon]

I usually removed mine, when I had yellow labs, when I noticed they were holding, and had the patience to remove everything from the tank to catch her. If I remember correctly they held for around either 21 or 28 days. She will be fine with the fry right after she spits them out. I normally left mine with the fry for a week or so to fatten her back up. Some will suggest you strip the fry, I was never very good at that, I just let nature take it's course.

[TaTeR ToT]

is it the big darker yellow female i sold you?
i ask because she held for me the most.
the other 2 only courted with the male.
she went all the way

[Zulaab]

Yellow labs hold between 21-25 days before spitting.
Yellow labs are not "good parents" as they will spit and basically after that will not look after their young. "IF" you can catch her.. try not to stress her... If you cannot catch her within a few minutes.. stop and try again in 30 minutes.. attempt to corner her and then use like a big mouth jar to her to go in there.. then take her out that way.

You can leave her in the tank.. but only about 1-3 will survive to make it to adult hood from that...

[jeff]

You can leave her in the tank.. but only about 1-3 will survive to make it to adult hood from that...[/QUOTE]
I like those odds. Dont really want yellow labs. Just waiting for them to get bigger so i can make a little money and get what i really want.

[phish]

Jeff does your female eat, mine hasnt been eating?

[jeff]

I will have to watch more closely. they all come out and devour food so quick i have a hard time keeping up w/ who is eating or not.

[szidlon]

Normally when they are holding they will not eat. I have had them take tiny bits of brine shrimp or something else soft and small when it's really close to time for them to spit. If you look really closely when the fry are about to be released you can see them moving around in her mouth if she's facing you with her mouth slightly open.