Lots of cichlid questions (and pics, 56k warning)

[manoosie]

I have had a great time with my tank so far. I have a random questions however...

First, any clue if this red zebra is a male or female? I have two of them, but I think both are female. Could this be a male?



I think one of my labs is holding. I suspected her to be female and this morning I noticed she would not eat. She would swim up to the food but she didnt want to open her mouth. Does this look like a lab holding to you?



Also, compare these two pics. I was told this fish was a melanochromis chipokae, and she has changed color over the past month. What is the deal? She is the only chipokae in the tank...

Before...


After...



And just for kicks, here is a full tank shot. Any advice on the aquascaping?



Thanks for all the help you have given me!

[Fishyfanatic]

None of the pics are showing up on my end.

To determine the sex, check out these links. I am not sure which type of Red Zebra you have, but you can probably tell from the pics.

http://www.malawimayhem.com/profile_show.php?id=548
http://www.malawimayhem.com/profile_show.php?id=278

A holding female will have a bulge on the underside of her mouth. When the eggs have hatched into fry, her gills will protrude. She will not eat during the holding process.

Here's a link to my female Cobalt holding fry.
http://www.aquariumadvice.com/photop...cat=500&page=1

[Fishyfanatic]

Ok, I got the pictures to load by opening them in a different page.

The first pic is a male Maylandia Estherae.

I can't tell from the pic of the lab if she is holding. Give her a few days and monitor her eating. If she doesn't eat for the next 3 or 4 days, QT her so she will release the fry in a stress-free environment. It does appear that it is a female.

Because of the coloration of the chipokae, I would assume that he was purchased as a juvi and is changing colors to the male coloration. Take a look at the pics on this site to determine sex.

[Zagz]

I can't get the pics to open at all.

[Tiffi]

No pics!

[TankGirl]

Right-click on the icon and select "view image" and it should be there.

[TankGirl]

I agree with FF about the fish. Many Africans will have female coloration as juvies and then develop male coloration once they reach maturity - this is for their protection while they develop, and makes it very difficult to sex your fish when they are juvies at the LFS.

Regarding your 'scaping, I'd like to see the rocks stacked higher, almost to the top if possible. If you visually divide your tank into thirds, the left would be the highest point of the rocks, then sloping down to the middle of the tank in the middle third, then a very short stack on the right-sided third (JMO ) The fish will utilize more of the tank if there are rocks stacked higher.

[Tiffi]

Sorry, TG but that doesn't work neither (you know I've already tried that).

[Jchillin]

It worked for me...there must be something blocking the image tag from displaying outright, since it was uploaded from the members storage site.

[Zagz]

I'm with Tiffi here, doesn't work for me either. And yes I tried it already too.