Help, holding Lab

[fishfloater]

ok I came home this evening to find I have a holding yellow lab. I'm really worried about 2 things though.

1. she is breathing very heavy.
2. her lips for some reason look more like a beak on a bird. (pic 2)

is this normal? I really didn't think this would happen so soon. Any advice would be appreciated.

 

[Cichlid-Man]

Looks normal from here.

The breathing could be because of stress from the other fish? Or her first time holding? Not real sure, just make sure your water is good....other than that you shouldn't have anything to worry about.

Congrats

 

[fishfloater]

Thanks Matt. I will do another WC tomorrow.

 

[Rokl33t]

woudln't it be safe to seperate the mother from the others? like a breeding net? or is em i jus speaking nonsense

 

[Orion]

Looks fine to me as well.

As for the breathing: I've noticed that when my cyps are holding, the eggs or fry normaly stretch out the mouth and surounding area (including the gills) so much that it did give the apperance of heavy breathing, when actualy they were not. Not saying that this is the answer to yours, but something to think about.

Then agian, I've seen a yellow lab with what looks to be stress bars (?) before. So it could be stress.

Congrats!

 

[fishfloater]

Thanks for the advice everyone.

She seems to be better today. Shes going after the food like shes hungry but she can't eat. I read they usually dont eat untill they spit.

 

[Orion]

I know that holding cyps will still take in small bits of food, presumabley to feed the developing fry.

Not sure how well this applies to yellow labs though.

 

[fishfloater]

I think the labs do the same after the sacs are gone. Before this happned I told myself I would just let nature take its course but now I've changed my mind. I'm actually excited. I think I may go pick up a grow out tank.

I blame MFT for this

 

[Orion]

LOL, I blame lots of things on MFT.

Hard to resist the temptation of raising the fry isn't it? Have you thought about how you are going to get the fry?

 

[fishfloater]

Yes is very hard to resist.

As far as getting the fry, you mean after she spits? I guess I'll quarantine her in another week or so. I'm definatley open to suggestions.