sick ciclid?

Question
I just recently bought an african ciclid along with 6 others.  They are all doing great except for one.  He seems to either be shy or sick. He is hiding behind a bridge figure and plants.  He dug a small hole and has been sitting there often.  Im worried because when it comes to feeding time all of the fish eat like crazy but he doesnt seem to come out.  He hasnt really been eating if any at all.  Does it sound normal or could he be sick?  How do they act when they are pregnant for that was my other suspicion.

Thank you
Pattie

Answer
Hi Pattie,
  Hiding is okay; the fish has problems if it has cuts or scrapes or if its fins are frayed.  Are any of those true?

  It could be what we call mouthbrooding.  Many kinds of cichlids are mouthbrooders which means that the parent (typically the female) carries the eggs and fry in her mouth. If your fish were mouthbrooding, it would look like she had a mouth full of marbles.  Plus, she would "mumble" which is actually her tumbling the eggs around in her mouth -- they need to be rotated constantly.  Mouthbrooding females often hide from other fish.

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