Brooding Electric Yellow Cichlid

Question
QUESTION: I have four cichlids in a 10-gallon aquarium. One of them is often kind of verticle near the filter, and I've noticed it's not eating like the others are. I don't know how to tell male from female, but it is the only Electric Yellow Cichlid I have without the black strips on it's fins, so I'm assuming female. It's also looking a little odd in how it's holding it's mouth -- kind of like it's full of something. I haven't seen any babies yet. Is there something I should get to separate it and any potential fry from the others? I'm kind of excited over this, as I wasn't trying to breed fish. I'm more active with hatching turkeys and chickens. :)
ANSWER: Hi Juanita,
 It sounds like it is mouthbrooding some young.  It will eventually "release" the young and then they will have to take their chances in the tank.

 You have a potential problem to think about:  if you only have one electric yellow, then the kids in the female's mouth are hybrids between different species of cichlids.  This doesn't happen in the wild, but does happen in aquaria, if there isn't an appropriate mate available.  You want to think carefully about this situation because no one wants hybrid cichlids around -- they create all sorts of problems.   

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


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

QUESTION: There are three other Electric yellow cichlids in the tank with the female. Am I in a safer situation? If many of the young live I'll probably give them away to a friend who is starting a new tank. Thanks for your help.

Answer
Hi Juanita,
 I'm sorry, I misread your question.  Yes, you are much "safer" as the father is one of the electric yellows with a darker stripe.  

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