The "Yellow Lab"
I have a nice little group of these guys in a 55g tank with a pair of Ndumbi Red Tops, who are much more aggressive than the labs. I hadn't seen much activity from these guys, until a few weeks ago I noticed one had it's chin distended in a strange way. Since these are mouthbrooders, I assume it's holding fry.
February 4, 08
I finally caught the one that appears to be 'holding' and moved her into a breeding tank floating in the grow-out tank where my Maleri are. Although she is getting quite skinny and looking a little worn out, she was hard to catch. I tried to catch her as gently as possible, so I'd make a swipe at it and then come back later and try again. I didn't want to chase her all over the place. Finally I managed to gently herd her into a corner and catch her in the big net. I put her in a floating livebearer cage.
I have never had this type of fish before, and I was told only the males get black on their bottom fins, and this individual does have black on the bottom fins, but also appears to be holding something in his mouth. So I moved him out of the group anyway, and we'll see what happens.
Feb 24
I finally put her back in the main tank because she was very stressed out in the hospital tank. She was happy to get back to the tank, and continued holding for a couple weeks. Eventually she must have dropped them and they got eaten, because I never saw the fry.