Strange Yellow Dots On My Cichlid

[demasoni]

There are strange yellow dots on my cichlid fish.
To be more exact, it behind his/her anal fin

What exactly is it? Is he/she sick?

And are you able to tell the difference of cichlids genders? If so, how?
I read somewhere that it requires years and years of experience to know what the gender is of cichlids.

Please let me know! Thank you!

the strange yellow dots look similar to this picture:
http/www.aqualandpetsplus.com/Cichli396.jpg


My actual cichlid that has the dots ( The bottom one )
http/img100.imageshack.us/img100/9328/kittttt009wx6.jpg

And can anyone identify the fish at the top? I bought the black-ish fish for $5, and the blue/yellow cichlid for $8... I thought that the blue/yellow cichlid for 8 dollars was a really great deal because it looks so pretty and it looks ready to find a mate and pair off! ))))

Thank you

 

[a.d.wood]

Hi there,

Commonly called 'egg spots', they can be used for sexing (just can't remember which way at present) and form part of the breeding ritual for these fish.

Andrew

ps > your post was moved to the African Cichlid section as these fish originate in Lake Malawi

 

[Ferris]

Yep, definately egg spots. A high number of egg spots tends to indicate the fish is a male.

The fish in the top pic is a Metriaclima Callainos.

 

[adambrum]

As said there egg spots there's an article on these at the top of the page.

The fish in the second pic is an acei problem with sexing these is the male and female look the same also malawi cichlids are not pairing fish there harem breeder normally it 1m-3f this avoids one female being constantly harassed.

Look up venting on google its the only 100% to sex acei but they do need to be at least 1.5" (its easier than it looks)