Question about Melanochromis auratus and breeding

[Sean]

I have 2 Melanochromis auratus in a 55 gallon tank. One is definitely male
as he has just changed to almost black in the last few weeks. The other is
still yellow with lateral black lines running down her side. This weekend, I
noticed the male "chasing" the female in tight circles for 5 or 10 minutes.
This is not the same chase he uses for the Psuedotropheus crabo when he gets
to close the his favorite cave.

Now, on to the question. I have noticed the yellow m. auratus has not had
much of an appetite lately. She(?) will come up and smell the frozen brine
I give them and then swim back to her new corner of the tank. Her gills
look fine, there is no visible sign of injury. I was wondering if this is
typical of a female that may have eggs in her mouth?

The pH of the tank is 8.2. The temperature is 77 F. The ammonia is 0,
nitrite level is also 0. The water is hard, not sure exactly what it is at
the moment since I have not checked it this week. There is plenty of
driftwood, flowerpots, and rocks with and without ledges in the tank.

At night, this "female" does go to a nearby flowerpot to sleep. No one else
goes in there to bother her.

Any help is appreciated.

[Bob K.]

She likely has a mouthful of eggs.
All mouthbrooders go through the sequence you've described.
Additionally, you should notice her lower throat somewhat
more puffy than normal, somewhat like she looks after gulping
a big mouthful of food before it's swallowed.

If you have another tank, put her by herself (use the water from
the 55) and she should release fry in about two weeks.
If she releases them in the 55, most - if not all - will be eaten.

Bob



>I have 2 Melanochromis auratus in a 55 gallon tank. One is definitely male
>as he has just changed to almost black in the last few weeks. The other is
>still yellow with lateral black lines running down her side. This weekend, I
>noticed the male "chasing" the female in tight circles for 5 or 10 minutes.
>This is not the same chase he uses for the Psuedotropheus crabo when he gets
>to close the his favorite cave.
>
>Now, on to the question. I have noticed the yellow m. auratus has not had
>much of an appetite lately. She(?) will come up and smell the frozen brine
>I give them and then swim back to her new corner of the tank. Her gills
>look fine, there is no visible sign of injury. I was wondering if this is
>typical of a female that may have eggs in her mouth?
>
>The pH of the tank is 8.2. The temperature is 77 F. The ammonia is 0,
>nitrite level is also 0. The water is hard, not sure exactly what it is at
>the moment since I have not checked it this week. There is plenty of
>driftwood, flowerpots, and rocks with and without ledges in the tank.
>
>At night, this "female" does go to a nearby flowerpot to sleep. No one else
>goes in there to bother her.
>
>Any help is appreciated.