is my yellow lab holding?

[fableon]

I'm having a tough time getting a good shot of her, she's always hiding or swimming off whenever I get near the tank, which makes it tricky to check her mouth too. From what I've managed to see, I don't think there's anything in her mouth, but what got me wondering was this little bulge under her chin - it's not huge, but it's definitely different from before. It looks a bit like the pics of holding females, but not as prominent in the cheeks. And yeah, she's got that droopy bit under the chin too.

She skipped the flakes the other day, but did manage a few brine shrimp yesterday - though she looked a bit odd while eating.

One thing that's got me stumped is this weird mouth thing she does... it's like she's going "rum pum pum pum" - not like the usual yawn or gulp mbunas do, but more gentle and constant, for like 30 seconds or so.

Any ideas without needing to see the photos?

[creeko]

I've got a few yellow labs and I'd say yes, she's holding.

[fableon]

Thanks creeko, I actually put my glasses on and she swam over, I'm pretty sure I saw a tiny fry in her mouth now. I'm guessing the fry won't last this time though.

I've got a smaller tank that I was planning to use as a fry tank, but I've still got a harlequin in there at the moment. I'm trying to rehome him so I can get the tank set up before the next batch.

Do you have any suggestions for hiding places for the fry?

[lentoa]

If she's got dark patches in her buccal cavity, that's a pretty good indicator she's holding fry. I've come across people using bundled straws with an elastic band, wedging them under a rock - just cut them down to about 6" first.

[fableon]

Thanks for the tip, I'll definitely give that a go. Will keep you all posted on how it goes.

[lentoa]

Mine didn't fare so well, my auratus recently spat her fry in a 15 gallon fry tank, wish you better luck with yours.

[fableon]

Thanks for the input, added some pics to the first post now. Just one fry in there, do you think?

I've chucked some straws in for now, will grab some more rocks tomorrow. Do you reckon she'll spit soon?

[rivelo]

I've had decent success with letting the female raise her fry in my African community tank. The survival rate might not be spectacular, but it's a heck of a lot better than tearing the whole tank apart and stressing everyone out. I just scatter some small rock piles around - not too much planning goes into it, just random placement. I did try positioning some piles in the path of my propeller current, figuring it'd wash some flake food towards them, making it easier for the fry to eat without venturing too far from cover.

[kalevi]

Awesome photographs .. There will be a few in there, you will be surprised how many can fit in there

[fableon]

Thanks for the suggestions, I've added some bunched up straws and a fake plant to the tank - it's looking a bit of a mess now, but I'd love to see some little ones swimming around, even if it's just for a short while. Most will probably get eaten, I know, but it's worth a try. Now I'm just waiting to see when she'll spit - any ideas on how long it usually takes?