Yellow Lab, Black Fry?

[RedeyesUK]

Hi all,

I've had a yellow lab in my QT tank for a couple of weeks now, waiting for her to release fry. The first couple came out tonight for a brief appearance (before mum sucked them back ), so it's all going well, but the fry - they're black? Not totally black, more a sort of dark grey/brown, but definately not yellow!
Is this normal? Is this something they'll grow out of, or is the daddy not who I thought it was?

 

[kj23502]

Strange. I'd think they would be yellow if the parents were yellow. Maybe the daddy is not the daddy

 

[Colin_T]

sounds like they are hybrids. There is a blue form of Labidochromis caeruleus and the dad might have been that. Or another male mbuna type cichlid is the father.
If the parents are both yellow, then the fry should be yellow.

 

[RedeyesUK]

Hybrids were my first thought too, but - who? All my other cichlids are blue/red(zebras), plus a couple of lighter browns - nothing that fits the dark/black description!

Besides, just before I noticed the female was holding, I saw what I'd consider to be classic breeding activity going on between one of the male labs and the female in question, so I thought (for once!) I had the paternity question solved from the start. Now I'm confused....

The mother hasn't released any more yet (seems like they want to come out, but she won't let them!), so I'll have to wait and see what the full batch are like.

 

[Colin_T]

the parents could be a cross between the blue and yellow form. They would be yellow but carry the blue gene, which has become dominant in the batch. But any of the zebras could also be the dad.

 

[RedeyesUK]

Well, it looks like we'll never know - I think she swallowed the fry. No sign of them anywhere, and certainly not in her mouth. Oh well, back in the main tank for her!

 

[fishlover500]

I had the same thing, my yellow lab keeps spitting ugly coloured fry!! Probably hybrids!!