Michigan Cichlid Association

General Category => General Discussion => Topic started by: Steve on February 04, 2013, 12:36:28 AM

Title: Male Mbamba?
Post by: Steve on February 04, 2013, 12:36:28 AM

A few weeks ago I lost my large male lab Mbamba which left me with 3 Mbamba which I "thought" were supposed to be all females, or at least they were sold to me that way when I bought them. Now over the past couple weeks that the dominate large male I had is gone I have noticed what I thought was the large female is taking on some nicer blue colors every week. Is this actually a male and just was not colored up because he was not the dom male of the species in the tank, but now that he has moved up in rank he's starting to show his colors maybe?

(http://img502.imageshack.us/img502/424/mbamba.jpg)

Title: Re: Male Mbamba?
Post by: Regalblue on February 04, 2013, 05:22:28 AM

Could be, or it could be a dominant female. 

One of my confirmed females sometimes brightens up.

Title: Re: Male Mbamba?
Post by: Super Turtleman on February 04, 2013, 09:39:06 PM

I would expect to see more yellow. Only time will tell...or venting.

Title: Re: Male Mbamba?
Post by: Steve on February 04, 2013, 11:26:36 PM

I've been reading up on venting but I'm a little scared to do it because I never have tried and I don't want to stress the fish or worse yet drop it or something :o lol. Any tips on venting to share to make it easier for me?

Title: Re: Male Mbamba?
Post by: Ron on February 05, 2013, 08:17:55 AM

Quote from: Steve on February 04, 2013, 11:26:36 PM

Any tips on venting to share to make it easier for me?

The larger the fish, the easier venting can be.  ;)

Also be sure to wet your hands before handling fish so you don't hurt their slime coat, though IIRC, you are probably already aware from all the fishing you've done.  :)