Possible First Holding?

[Wolfheart2112]

My female Haplochromis sp. flameback wouldn't eat when I fed my fish tonight. She had a ripped lip and upon closer inspection had a small but noticeable bulge on her chin. She had this weird mouth thing going on, like she was a cow chewing? She came up really close to the glass and opened her mouth really big.
Inside her mouth I counted at least 3 small orangey/yellow balls with a black dot on each of them. The male has also been following her around and shimmying his colours around her. Does this sound like a holding female?

[PhishNFilly]

My first reaction would be yes she might be holding. Why the ripped lip tho? Any idea if any aggression is going on with your tank? Congrats if she's holding, it's awesome to get fry for the first time! Julia

[Wolfheart2112]

I just moved them over to my 55 two days ago, and i now have 11 fish instead of 5. I moved her to the 20 gal this morning just in case she is holding. what should I do to help her be more comfortable?

[PhishNFilly]

Wolf nature will take it's course for her. Any idea how long she's been holding? I am not sure with this type fish but if she's holding she will not eat. I hope this 20 gallon is cycled well. Do regular tank maintenances, keep an eye on her and I would say watch that ripped lip. Give her a place to hide like a cave or something, I offered my females a very tiny piece of flake, many don't but I did. Not much to do for a holding mom if she is indeed holding. Can you get a pic or a vid by chance? If she continues to hold for the amount of time for this fish, you will have fry in three weeks possibly if not sooner. If any of the information I have given is not right I am sure somebody will chime in lol. Best I can tell you at this point Wolf, congrats again and patience lolol. If you feel she is not holding anymore well of course back to the main tank she goes. Same temp, I am assuming you have a small filter of some kind on this tank. Clean water of course is a must on smaller tanks, they require a little more upkeep. Keep us posted. Julia

[Wolfheart2112]

Its cycled and i have rocks and a castle for her to hide in. i also have something i need to post so i'll post a pic of my victorian and something else that may be found pretty weird but good :)

[Wolfheart2112]

The first 2 pics are of my flameback and the last 2 are pictures of something I'm finding hard to believe. Look at both of their chins. :P

[PhishNFilly]

gee you mean they look like they are holding too? LOL

[Wolfheart2112]

almost all of my female fish look to have a bulge under their chin and have been hiding and not eating. they cant all be holding can they?

[Wolfheart2112]

Bring bad news. :bawl:
My flameback has swallowed her eggs. such a short period of time and im hoping she wont get picked on since i returned her to the main tank.