Michigan Cichlid Association

General Category => Old World => Topic started by: four_by_ken on May 15, 2013, 02:22:51 PM

Title: Labeotropheus Trewavasae - male holding?
Post by: four_by_ken on May 15, 2013, 02:22:51 PM
OK, so we have a pair of Labeotropheus Trewavasae.  I understood the male was the blue one and the female was the blotchy tan colored one.

They swim together all the time and did the dance a few times.  We've been waiting... well, success!!!

BUT...

The blue one is the one holding!!!

Is the blue on the female, or do we have a male holding?

 :o
Title: Re: Labeotropheus Trewavasae - male holding?
Post by: Ron on May 15, 2013, 03:40:34 PM
Any chance you have a marmalade cat?
Title: Re: Labeotropheus Trewavasae - male holding?
Post by: four_by_ken on May 15, 2013, 03:41:20 PM
Any chance you have a marmalade cat?

I dont know what that is.

Title: Re: Labeotropheus Trewavasae - male holding?
Post by: linuxrulesusa on May 15, 2013, 03:44:32 PM
Any chance you have a marmalade cat?

I dont know what that is.

I didn't either, but see here: http://www.aquarticles.com/articles/breeding/Krampetz_Marmalade_Cat.html
Title: Re: Labeotropheus Trewavasae - male holding?
Post by: four_by_ken on May 15, 2013, 03:47:29 PM
Our "female" does have some dark spots... kind of OB like.  Not colorful, but just dark spots.  Tan body with dark spots.  I was told that it would look like this when older... the spots may become more prevalent.

Our "male" is all steel blue.  It is supposed to get orange on the fins I believe and maybe some on the head also... I think.

The male is not eating and has the typical holding jaw look going on.


Confusing me.

Title: Re: Labeotropheus Trewavasae - male holding?
Post by: Crfish on May 15, 2013, 03:50:07 PM
Labeotropheus fuelleborni. i think thats what a Marmalade cat is but that is just from a little research but i dont get how a male holds still? but from what you just said it doesnt seem to be one of those. ill keep looking though
Title: Re: Labeotropheus Trewavasae - male holding?
Post by: lilscoots on May 15, 2013, 04:23:09 PM
It could also be possible that you have a dominant female in male coloration.  Females will lay and hold without a male present, and swallow the eggs later.
Title: Re: Labeotropheus Trewavasae - male holding?
Post by: Ron on May 15, 2013, 04:26:09 PM
Marmalade cat typically refers to male Labeotropheus (fuelleborni or trewavasae) that carry the sex-linked male-recessive OB gene that causes blotching. Sometimes people like to be less specific and also include zebra sp., while others like to be more specific and suggest that only certain OB color patterns count while others don't.

My point - it was possible that you might have 2 males hanging out. If the OB one is fully a drab coloration though, it's a female.

As far as the male holding, it wouldn't be the first time I've heard of it, but I've also never seen it myself and used to breed red top trewavasae. How large are your fish?

One possible explanation could be that it's holding rocks/sand for some strange reason, if it does indeed have something in it's mouth. Nothing personal, I just like to remain skeptical.  ;)
Title: Re: Labeotropheus Trewavasae - male holding?
Post by: LoveTheFishies on May 15, 2013, 07:23:46 PM
How about some pix of both?  That may help with the ID and male/female issue.
Title: Re: Labeotropheus Trewavasae - male holding?
Post by: four_by_ken on May 16, 2013, 01:22:19 PM
How about some pix of both?  That may help with the ID and male/female issue.

I was already planning on that last night.   ;D
Title: Re: Labeotropheus Trewavasae - male holding?
Post by: four_by_ken on May 16, 2013, 01:23:39 PM
The male is the blue one... which seems to be holding.

The female is the other "tan" one.

Title: Re: Labeotropheus Trewavasae - male holding?
Post by: four_by_ken on May 16, 2013, 01:26:38 PM
I have also noticed the male hiding in the rocks a lot... which it NEVER did before.  Still seems perfectly healthy though.

The male always chased the female around... like I would expect. 
Title: Re: Labeotropheus Trewavasae - male holding?
Post by: Regalblue on May 16, 2013, 01:36:03 PM
Pull them both out & vent them. ;)
Title: Re: Labeotropheus Trewavasae - male holding?
Post by: four_by_ken on May 17, 2013, 08:17:47 AM
Pull them both out & vent them. ;)

That means I would have to tear apart the tank to catch them... and then learn how to vent a fish.

Thats work.
Title: Re: Labeotropheus Trewavasae - male holding?
Post by: Regalblue on May 17, 2013, 09:26:18 AM
Set up a couple of traps & when you catch them compare their vents.
Title: Re: Labeotropheus Trewavasae - male holding?
Post by: LoveTheFishies on May 17, 2013, 10:50:46 AM
Set up a couple of traps & when you catch them compare their vents.

Are you joking Blair, or is there really a way to do that so you dont stress the fish in a show tank?
Title: Re: Labeotropheus Trewavasae - male holding?
Post by: Regalblue on May 17, 2013, 11:29:45 AM
Nope, no joke.
Title: Re: Labeotropheus Trewavasae - male holding?
Post by: LoveTheFishies on May 17, 2013, 11:31:04 AM
Nope, no joke.

What is your trick?  I'd love to know that info. 
Title: Re: Labeotropheus Trewavasae - male holding?
Post by: Regalblue on May 17, 2013, 12:22:17 PM
There's multiple tricks... go in real fast while they're asleep is a common one. 
Another is - cut the top portion of a 2liter bottle off, invert it back into the bottom portion,  tape it together,  put some gravel in it, place it into the tank by Where the target fish likes to hang out & wait until it goes into the bottle.
Title: Re: Labeotropheus Trewavasae - male holding?
Post by: LoveTheFishies on May 17, 2013, 07:49:06 PM
There's multiple tricks... go in real fast while they're asleep is a common one. 
Another is - cut the top portion of a 2liter bottle off, invert it back into the bottom portion,  tape it together,  put some gravel in it, place it into the tank by Where the target fish likes to hang out & wait until it goes into the bottle.

Thanks, I'll try one or both. of those
Title: Re: Labeotropheus Trewavasae - male holding?
Post by: auratus on May 17, 2013, 08:04:59 PM
Iv`e had a male Auratus ( confirmed) that held . I`ve seen male peacocks holding its not impossible just rare
Title: Re: Labeotropheus Trewavasae - male holding?
Post by: four_by_ken on May 17, 2013, 08:08:19 PM
Was just watching again... full mouth and no eating. :o
Title: Re: Labeotropheus Trewavasae - male holding?
Post by: LoveTheFishies on May 17, 2013, 10:18:18 PM
Let us see a pix next week and see if his mouth is getting fuller.  Then we would know if there are fry growing in there.   ;)
Title: Re: Labeotropheus Trewavasae - male holding?
Post by: Regalblue on May 18, 2013, 07:29:46 AM
Let us see a pix next week and see if his mouth is getting fuller.  Then we would know if there are fry growing in there.   ;)
good point
Title: Re: Labeotropheus Trewavasae - male holding?
Post by: four_by_ken on May 20, 2013, 07:16:40 AM
Still "holding"

 :o
Title: Re: Labeotropheus Trewavasae - male holding?
Post by: four_by_ken on May 21, 2013, 08:45:53 AM
Still has a mouthful.

 :o
Title: Re: Labeotropheus Trewavasae - male holding?
Post by: Ron on May 21, 2013, 09:44:10 AM
Looks photoshopped!  :P
Title: Re: Labeotropheus Trewavasae - male holding?
Post by: four_by_ken on May 28, 2013, 10:20:08 AM
Still "holding"  !!!  New pictures attached.


I have since put him/her into a fry box to see what happens.

 :o
Title: Re: Labeotropheus Trewavasae - male holding?
Post by: LoveTheFishies on May 28, 2013, 05:12:41 PM
Sure looks like holding to me.
Title: Re: Labeotropheus Trewavasae - male holding?
Post by: Regalblue on May 28, 2013, 10:45:42 PM
It could be holding a brood..... but what sex is it?
Title: Re: Labeotropheus Trewavasae - male holding?
Post by: Stan M. on May 28, 2013, 11:18:47 PM
Looks like its holding!
Title: Re: Labeotropheus Trewavasae - male holding?
Post by: four_by_ken on May 29, 2013, 07:10:21 AM
Well... it was holding for SURE!!!

I am pissed we didnt vent before adding him/her back into the tank.  Next time we tear into the tank I will catch him again.

Title: Re: Labeotropheus Trewavasae - male holding?
Post by: four_by_ken on May 29, 2013, 07:12:27 AM
I think we will let them grow to see what they are.  I feel pretty confident the male and female bred as they were constantly together.  But, I guess there is always a chance they are a cross breed?

Title: Re: Labeotropheus Trewavasae - male holding?
Post by: four_by_ken on July 15, 2013, 01:56:28 PM
Not thinking that the male and female bred anymore.  The fry dont look to have the typical Trewavasae mouths.  Bummer.

I will let them go a little longer before they become fish food in the 140 gallon.

Title: Re: Labeotropheus Trewavasae - male holding?
Post by: four_by_ken on October 02, 2013, 03:36:00 PM
The "male" held again... I just let nature run its course.