female cichlid shaking

Question
QUESTION: Hi- I have a 55 gal will 6/7 lake malawi cichlids in them. had tank over one year , weekly maint and fish do well. Even have one (male) who was born in tank and is almost adult sized. Question: I know about them males shaking to attract a mate, but i have a bright yellow with black fins female (no spots on anal fin) who is acting oddly. She opens her mouth and shakes her head at front of tank, at me, perhaps. (Picture the face of Lee Harvey Oswald made when he was shot, that's the face)..  at first I thought fish was sick but this has been going on a couple of weeks and does not happen every time I am observing them... any help is greatly appreciated. I am noticing that all of the fish seem to be chasing each other alot (more than normal) at this time, if that has anything to do with it... thanks for your time and attention, Jim Rhodes

ANSWER: Hi Jim,
 My guess is that the "female" is actually a male.   

-- Ron
  rcoleman@cichlidresearch.com
  Cichlid Research Home Page <http://cichlidresearch.com>


---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Thanks for you quick reply.. One more question- any defining way of knowing what gender they are? I had read about the spots on the anal fin as being a male trait. You thinking the fish in question may be a female kinda throws that out the window.. thanks again for your time and attention, Jim

ANSWER: Hi Jim,
 The presence of "spots" works sometimes and is generally the case, but certainly not always the case and definitely not for all species.  

  Is the fish that you have an electric yellow, i.e., Labidochromis caeruleus.  It would have a bright yellow body, and a black edge to the dorsal fin (the fin on top)?  No barring or stripes.  

-- Ron
  rcoleman@cichlidresearch.com
  Cichlid Research Home Page <http://cichlidresearch.com>


---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: yes, exactly as you described.

Answer
Hi Jim,
 In Electric yellows the sexes are not highly differentiated.  Males tend to be brighter and bolder while females are a little duller, but the differences are pretty subtle and there is a lot of individual variation.

-- Ron
  rcoleman@cichlidresearch.com
  Cichlid Research Home Page <http://cichlidresearch.com>