Cichlid with a curved in belly

[bmarine]

One of my jacobfreibergi has a curved in belly. Its been like this for a few days, but he seems to be swimming fine. Today I noticed though that he didn't eat when I fed him. Whats up with the guy? And what should I do with him?

[hollywod12]

looks to be holding

[Kaia]

Almost looks to me like its a holding female. I don't know much though

[Kaia]

With that belly it's probably been holding for a week.

[Kaia]

I count all of my fish at feeding time so I know when someone is missing and knew when the females started holding within 12 hours . Never know you could have fry any time.

[bmarine]

I thought maybe it was too, but 1: i don't think its throat has gotten bigger, and 2: it is keeping its mouth pretty open, like my other fish, and it ate food, but spit it all out.

[Kaia]

It's the chin that kinda puffs out and as I understand It they may eat a tiny bit or none at all. Maybe she only has a few she's rolling around in there.

[Kaia]

Sometimes if you can look at them from below you can see in their chin little black beads

[hollywod12]

looks like u should remove her to a dif tank to let her spit on her own or u can strip her and put her back in the home tank

[Kaia]

How's the poop?

[hollywod12]

How's the poop?

poop??  what on your mind..lol

[Kaia]

If the rest of the fish are fine move it to a QT. It looks like a very young fish. First thing that came to mind was a holding female. But my girls keep their lips closed, have fat chins and you can see the eggs in there and the ladies roll them around in their mouth. Could be a lot of things. Stress from being chased, bad water. I'm sure someone with more knowledge will come along.

[lilscoots]

They're wondering if the poop is normal, if it's clear/white and thready it could be bloat, but to me it looks like a female that just laid eggs.  If they've only got a few eggs (common in the first few spawns) her mouth won't look swollen right away.  Also, holding females in my experience will make every effort to eat except to actually eat...

[Kaia]

They're wondering if the poop is normal, if it's clear/white and thready it could be bloat, but to me it looks like a female that just laid eggs.  If they've only got a few eggs (common in the first few spawns) her mouth won't look swollen right away.  Also, holding females in my experience will make every effort to eat except to actually eat...

Very true my girls come out at feeding time and look at me and look at the food and just sit there lol

[Kaia]

looks like u should remove her to a dif tank to let her spit on her own or u can strip her and put her back in the home tank

If he doesn't even know if its a female holding, he must not have much knowledge in stripping. As little as this is and with no experience I would t recommend it as it could be very easily damaged for life