[Cassie6550]

Hello all,
I have a 29 gallon set up with 5 African Cichlids in it, did have 6 but i lost one yesterday. Ironically the day i lost one is the day i realized that i had a baby, which i guess you guys call a "fry". I have what seems to be a Labeochromis Caeruleus. I dont know if it is a male or a female. It was a beautiful yellow color, with some black. Now it is a dark purple or blue metalic looking color. I was assuming it was changing color for mating purposes but wasnt sure if it would mate seeing he was the only one of his kind in there. But i was wondering if it was a male or female. It seems to be the most dominate in the tank, and did have a few white dots on its tail area (not an illness) before it changed completly to its new color, actually they were there back when it was yellow. I was wondering if it was a mom or a dad? We call him Hank, he was was moving stones with his mouth almost digging out areas underneath the decor in the tank. Besides that fish we have 1 blue fish with black stripes we are thinking to be a Pseudotropheus Demasoni but again this is just from online identification. Also in the tank is a calico colored fish we were guessing this was a peacock something. We also have what looks to be an albino fish, its whitish pink as any albino animal would be. And there is one more thats stripped and we're guessing it to be a Labeochromis Sp."Pearlmutt" according to pictures that we have seen. The one is rather fat and not often around visible unless food is offered.
I was wondering if you could tell me if "Hank" was a male or female, and if he would ever change back into that beautiful yellow he once was. And how these guys gave birth, do they lay eggs or give live birth? How many fry should we expect there is only 1 to our knowledge now is that normal or do they have many? Also what should i do with the fry. I have a net breeder to put him in but he's so tiny right now i would be scared i wouldnt catch him in that tank and someone else in there would. Also what is he eating, and if i do catch him should i be putting mom in there, and how do i know who mom is?
Sorry for the 20 questions I have other tanks with different fresh water fish in them but i had no idea how indepth african cichlids were thanks for any help you can offer...

[kwaynetwo]

OK Hank sound like he is a male. and usually they dont change back and that would explain the more aggressive behavoir. If you want to keep all of the fry I would suggest getting a 10 gallon tank and but hank and mommy in it with the fry they will protect there fry. And they are egg layers. I think i got everything but if I didnt write back

Good luck

[Cassie6550]

Thanks for the info...
I was under the impression that they were liver barers. Would i be able to see the eggs? I was planning on getting a tank divider to divide a small section of my 29 gallon off for them, due to lack of room in my apartment for yet another tank. I spoke with a breeder the other day who also told me that Hank would most likely not be turning back to yellow, and that he was most likely a cross breed of some sort because of the color change? I thought the color change was due to him maturing... He also told me somethign about females turning into males depending on the ratio of males and females in the tank i was wondering if someone could clerify that for me? Also would the male in the tank breed with more than 1 female and if so or if not how many babys should i be expecting. I did happen to spot another one last night. Thanks so much for letting me pick your brain...

[kwaynetwo]

As for hank he is a male which you are Right he did change colors because he matured it not that he a cross breed. And as for them turn into males I donot agree at all. Either male or there female. And Yes you should be able to see the eggs unless they hide them from you so that you cant see. It take about a week for them to hatch and about another week to become (feel swimmer) which is able to get there own food such as algie and very some food. I dont know how well you know that breeder but It sounds like he giving you Bad Info. But Im learning as you are. Here is a site that might help you and it pretty good you can look up you fish by science names and common names. it is www.cichlids.com try this site and see if it help you Identify your fish and it has great info on breeding,water conditions, and behavoir of your fish I hope this help.

Good luck