I think my fish is holding!(update)

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rrcoolj

Jack Dempsey
MFK Member
Jun 5, 2008
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Today I woke up to feed my mbunas and I lookd at one of my Pseudeotropheus(mind the spelling) scolofi and she looked like her mouth was "full". She also keep making a "chewing" motion. She is very young maybe 2-2.5 inches long. Can mbunas breed at such a young age? I only have one other scolofi but I plan to addd another in the very near future. I'm new to this and I don't know what to do. If she is pregnant with fertilized eggs, what should I do? She is still very aggressive and charges just about any other fish that crosses her path(except for the red zebras of course). Any suggestions? I would have got pictures but my camera crapped out on me:(

Ohh and just so you know my tank is coming along really well. All the fish are growing and are more colorful than when I first got them. My shy synodontis decorus is now out day and night and is always exploring. My demasoni though are causing trouble and one of the four has already died. I'm thinking of trading them for something else. The other fish are doing just fine and growing fast. I can't wait until thier full grown!:D
 
I would say that she is definitely holding. But be aware that many mbuna can crossbreed. Mbuna can start breeding as little 1.5", sometimes smaller.
 
If you want to keep the fry, you will need to isolate the mama for about 4 to 6 weeks. Then one day you will look in the isolation tank and there will be a bunch of little specs swimming around.

If you don't want to keep them, just leave her be. She will hold the fry to term and the will be released a most certainly eaten. I have a Rusty that holds 3 times a year.
 
I'm worried If I take her out too long she will lose her place in the tank. How can I make it so she won't lose her "rank"?
 
rrcoolj;2089880; said:
I'm worried If I take her out too long she will lose her place in the tank. How can I make it so she won't lose her "rank"?


what i do in those cases is move the structure in the tank alil, not alot just enough to where my fish think theres something new to explore, its kinda like hitting the restart button on the pecking order
 
How many?

J/K
 
well I decided to keep her in the tank. I'm sure atleast a few of the fry will survive
 
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