Is this holding?

[Steve]

I think I may have my very first fish "holding". I just noticed one of my yellow labs has kind of a funny look right now. It's throat is somewhat bulged out a bit and I tried to watch and see but can't get a real good look yet, but it looks like maybe there is something in it's mouth. I've never had a holding fish before so this is new to me...but is this fish holding??

[Ron]

Yes sir.

[LoveTheFishies]

Congrats

[GVsailor]

Congratulations!

[Stan M.]

congrats Steve!

[Steve]

Awesome this is a first for me So if I want to help her keep the fry so they will survive I have a few questions then-

Should I set up a separete tank to put her in? And if so should I move her into it soon?

How long will she hold till she releases the fry?

Once the fry are released do I leave her with them in the fry tank for a bit or will she eat them if I leave her with them?

Anything else I need to know/should do?

[Steve]

Wow I just noticed now that a 2nd lab seems to be holding as well if I'm not mistaken. So looks like I have two labs holding at the same time just in the past 24hrs. Let me know what the best way to go about taking care of them would be so I can try to save the fry.
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pic of lab #2

[LoveTheFishies]

That one may have been holding for a little while.  The belly is pretty empty.

[Steve]

Anybody at all with some help on what to do far as "when" to move them to a different tank? I'm cleaning out a spare 20g right now but can't seem to find online any info about if I should move the holding fish ASAP or wait or? And will I need to cover the intake of the filter with something because I'm guessing the fry once spit are gonna be super tiny? Could really use some guidence from you guys that have done this before since this is my first time with a holding fish.

[Stan M.]

I my self would not move the females.Give her 14-20 and catch her and strip the frys.Your 2nd photo looks like she is about due lol.after stripping I put frys in breeders net in same tank.Hope this helps.

[Steve]

Thanks Stan. I was reading about stripping earlier and if I read correctly if I strip then I would have to tumble the eggs then right? because I don't have anything set up for tumbling them if I had to do that.

[Marty]

A mason jar and an airstone will work in a warm area.

[Stan M.]

That's true, but if frys are nice size you wont need tumbler.whats temp on your tank?

[Steve]

Varies through the day depending on how long the light is on but stays steady between 77.2 to 78.4

[Stan M.]

I would go 3 weeks at that temp.i keep my breeders at 80 and frys infemales mouth grow quicker at that temp IMO