Breeding or a lovers quarrel?

[Milo]

How can you tell if your fish are breeding or not? I noticed yesterday while watching TV that both of my Pseudotropheus Lombardoi's were in a cave together and looked as if they were starting to fight. Both had their mouths extended and looks as if they were both getting ready to fight. I tapped on the glass but of course nothing happened so I stuck my hand in there and shook around where they were. They went right back into it once I took my hand out of the tank. I then noticed that the smaller Lombardoi was putting her head towards the larger Lombardoi's "Male area". They did this for about 5 minutes when the smaller one swam away. I checked to see if her mouth was swollen (as if she is holding eggs) but didn't notice anything different. Also she was more active then I read about pregnant fish, she was swimming around and she was even eating this morning.

Anyone know what this could have been? Oh and also, I have tried looking online but can't see how to sex these fish. Anyone know?

 

[Cichlid-Man]

Locking mouths is generally a sign of a dominance show.

As for the head towards the male area...were they swimming in tight circles over and over? Male vibrating, etc? Its very common for her to have no eggs especially if she is young or breeding for the first time. Eggs or not, courtship still continues.

 

[Milo]

No they wern't spining around in circles, the male (i think) was just kind of sitting there while the female (i think) went to the general area, then they started to lock lips again. Weirdest thing. I really didn't think they were mating because they are still kind of young. And to tell the truth I don't think the male (if it is a male) has hit maturity yet. I read that male Lombardois are a gold/yellow colour. s/he is still very very light purple. The other fish is about half the size and has very dark purple stripes.