Cichlid with eggs in mouth

Question
I was told my cichlid has eggs in it's mouth.  I have 12 cichlids in our 55 gallon tank. Should I separate this cichild in another tank?  I don't want the others to eat the baby's once they are released from it's mouth.  What would you suggest?

Answer
Hi Pethouse,
  It is up to you.  Once the female releases the kids, the other fish in the tank are going to look at the kids as snacks.  So, if you want many of them to survive, isolate her in a separate tank.   If you leave her in the main tank, and there is lots of plants, wood, rocks, etc, then some of the kids (the fast ones) will possibly survive.  

 Of course it isn't always easy to catch the female out of a tank full of fish so that is something else to consider.

-- Ron
  rcoleman@cichlidresearch.com
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