Yellow Lab Less Hyper

So we are cichlid newbies and are worried about our yellow lab. We initially got 6 fish on Aug 5 and he was one of the 2 that were the most crazy and active. We now have 10 fish in our 75 g tank.

This lab was always chasing the other yellow lab, swimming fast, and just generally super active etc. Recently, he is way less active, eats but very little and doesn't swim to the food like the other fish do. He always likes to hang out at the bottom now. This has been going on for a few days. Concern? I read about milawI bloat and got very nervous.

 

Id say take him for a walk I know it works well with chocolate labs.

 

If it's not an ammonia/cycle issue, are you sure it's a he?

 

If it's not an ammonia/cycle issue, are you sure it's a he?

No I'm absolutely unsure LOL. I just know my two Kenyis are girls.

Here's a picture from today. Again he or she is just hanging out at the bottom by the white rock.

 

Hard to tell from a pic like that, but if It's female, that is how they act when they are holding. Hopeful you're cycled because from the 5th until now is about the amount of time for ammonia to build up.

 

Hard to tell from a pic like that, but if It's female, that is how they act when they are holding. Hopeful you're cycled because from the 5th until now is about the amount of time for ammonia to build up.

Thanks! They only breed within their own variety right? So lab with a lab? How can I differentiate between a male or female lab?

 

I'm no expert, but in my experience ( a lot) that fish will breed with other mbuna. Typically, males will have spots on their analfin.

 

I'm no expert, but in my experience ( a lot) that fish will breed with other mbuna. Typically, males will have spots on their analfin.

thank you! The only mbuna I have are the 2 yellow labs

I'm no expert, but in my experience ( a lot) that fish will breed with other mbuna. Typically, males will have spots on their analfin.

Do you mind look at this other lab I have? Is that a spot on the upper part of the analfin?

 

Not all males have egg spots and not all females are vacant of egg spots. From the looks of it both your yellow labs are male (darker blue face, bold black stripe on the other male's dorsal). Sounds to me the fish that is hiding was likely dethroned from being the dominant male.

Also, mbuna will breed with just about any other fish in the tank. I've had a yellow lab spawn with a female peacock and a blue zebra. I wouldn't put it past your yellow labs to breed with the kenyI (and kenyI are mbuna btw).

 

Oh

Not all males have egg spots and not all females are vacant of egg spots. From the looks of it both your yellow labs are male (darker blue face, bold black stripe on the other male's dorsal). Sounds to me the fish that is hiding was likely dethroned from being the dominant male.

Also, mbuna will breed with just about any other fish in the tank. I've had a yellow lab spawn with a female peacock and a blue zebra. I wouldn't put it past your yellow labs to breed with the kenyI (and kenyI are mbuna btw).

Wow, thank you for that info!! I'm still learning so this is very helpful. I had no idea that they can breed with any mbuna or that kenyI are mbuna too. Well my pink peacock is definitely a dominant fish and so was that yellow one. So that sounds about right. I just hope he isn't sick!