I only have one chocolate cichlid though so maybe she just laid them?Yes, looks like eggs, fertilized I belive due to looking tan in color, not glowing white.
Rare but a female Cichlid will lay infertile eggs. What other fish are in the aquarium?
she is definitely protecting them. 2 oscars share the tank with her. they are avoiding being in her area.If she is protecting them then she definitely laid them.