Blue zebra not eaten in 6 days! HELP!!

[silver dollars]

Sorry messed up on the title!!!!

My blue lab(got some info from the guy i bought them from, showed me the parents) hasn't eaten in 6 days. He/she is acting normal and swimming, but one of the fake plants in there is kinda sticking out of the ground so it is like a cave and he/she has been hiding in there. he/she chases the 3 yellow labs off and then goes back into the 'cave'. Is he/she sick??? Please help!

Here is a pick of what he/she looks like but only 2 1/2" long.(this is not my lab, just a pic of what it looks like)

 

[Helena21]

humm..maybes 'she' is holding? is her mouth swollen?

 

[silver dollars]

I can't really tell cause if one of the yellow labs swims by, the blue lab swims too fast for me to see. I will check and see if i can see anything...

 

[SinisterKisses]

I'm curious as to what a blue lab is? Anyway, it might be a female holding as Helena suggested, but if not, then I'd check your water params or watch the fish for signs of disease.

 

[Cichlid-Man]

I'm curious as to what a blue lab is? Anyway, it might be a female holding as Helena suggested, but if not, then I'd check your water params or watch the fish for signs of disease.

Agreed. Never heard of a blue lab.

Is it the aggressor in all of the "fights"? Is it being chased or only doing all the chasing? Could be stressed, if its not holding. Though i don't usually see females chase the others away from a simi staked out territory.

 

[straitjacket]

What are you feeding the fish?

Perhaps the fish is a Labidochromis freibergi? They were quite popular years ago, not so much now but a few folks still have them.

 

[silver dollars]

It is the one causing the fights. After i clean the tanks, i wait for an hour then check the parameters and i cleaned it 2 days ago and they were jsut fine.

ph 7.0
ammonia 0
nitrite-0.0
nitrate 0.0

I have been keeping a close eye on him/her to make sure that its not killing any of the others. The yellow labs are doing fine, no signs of injury or illness. I have been doing some reserch on them to see if she might be holding or if she is justr protecting her territory. Katie217 gave me some very good info on how to see if she is holding so i am going to check him/her tonight, mabey tomorrow. I will keep everyone updated!

Straightjacket: I am feeding the fish a colour enhancer flake and for a treat, brine shrimp.

 

[Katie217]

Perhaps the fish is a Labidochromis freibergi? They were quite popular years ago, not so much now but a few folks still have them.

I concur. looks like it to me

 

[Cichlid-Man]

Got a pic of him/her? Might be able to ID it and see if its a female holding?

 

[SinisterKisses]

I concur. looks like it to me

The pic posted isn't the OP's actual fish, just a pic of one that looks like it apparently

I'd like to see a pic of the fish in question, too.

 

[kay-bee19]

From my understanding the first 'discovered' labs (specifically labidochromis caeruleus) were of the blue variety (hence the naming of the species 'caeruleus' which means 'blue' in latin). Since the discovery, however, they yellow variety has becoming extremely more popular and common compared to the blues. Because of the rarity of the blue labs http://www.cichlid-forum.com/profiles/species.php?id=1667, it's more likely you have pseudotropheus socolofi http://www.cichlid-forum.com/profiles/species.php?id=919 which has similar black fin markings to those of the yellow labs.

With that said, it's possible your fish is mouthbrooding or it may have an intestinal ailment (what diet are your fish on, and how high is the protein% ?).

 

[FishGeek]

My geuss, no matter what fish it is, is that the fish has just created a territory and is gaurding it. As far as not eating its likely the fish is eating the left over food or what falls near its territory.

 

[Cichlid-Man]

From my understanding the first 'discovered' labs (specifically labidochromis caeruleus) were of the blue variety (hence the naming of the species 'caeruleus' which means 'blue' in latin). Since the discovery, however, they yellow variety has becoming extremely more popular and common compared to the blues. Because of the rarity of the blue labs http://www.cichlid-forum.com/profiles/species.php?id=1667

I've always termed or known that as a "white lab"...i guess thats why i was confused.

My geuss, no matter what fish it is, is that the fish has just created a territory and is gaurding it. As far as not eating its likely the fish is eating the left over food or what falls near its territory.

Fish can go a while without food and still look siminormal...for an african it not darting out and going crazy when food is put in the tank is a bit strange. They arn't usually scavangers in the aquarium.

 

[silver dollars]

The only time he/she comes out is too chase the yellow labs away so it might be hard. I tried to catch him/her last night but no luck. He/she swims fast and hides in the "cave" and when i move it, the lab just go to a different cave. I will try to get him/her again. And i really want to know what is up with my cichlid cause i am wanting to get some more mbuna this weekend for my bday.

 

[silver dollars]

I was looking at him/her and it never opens its mouth. I realized that because when it chases the others away, it never opens its mouth. Is that normal?

 

[Cichlid-Man]

Could be yes, is the mouth bulging...or throat bulging?

 

[silver dollars]

One side is alittle bigger than the other. I have been trying to get some info off of google and other fish sites but no luck. Can someone help me?????

 

[Cichlid-Man]

Its hard to pin one certain thing on it. Stress, holding eggs, just defending territory.....could be a number of things.

 

[silver dollars]

Thanks for all the help guys and gals. I am still trying to figure out whats wrong. I will try to get some pics tonight if i can get him/her out of the cave.

 

[FishGeek]

How do you have the tank set up?? Gotta pic??