guppy genetics

[OrandaMan]

I've not been around much - sorry 'bouts that, folks.

Anyway, I've been thinking about the results of mixed guppy breeding. Now, I have one tank in which there are guppies of mixed types (coloration and pattern). The females, of course, look generally the same. But are they? Does it matter which female a male mates with? Will the coloration of the male fry depend only on the male, or does the female also carry some of the traits? If they both contribute color and pattern, should I expect something neat to happen if they mix, or should I expect some monstrosity that will escape the tank and eat the downtown area? Is it proper to call the National Guard and warn them beforehand or only after the fish monster escapes with a lurching gait through the wall?

Also, will the fish monster really be evil, or just misunderstood?

[lilmissruffcountry]

I've not been around much - sorry 'bouts that, folks.

Anyway, I've been thinking about the results of mixed guppy breeding. Now, I have one tank in which there are guppies of mixed types (coloration and pattern). The females, of course, look generally the same. But are they? Does it matter which female a male mates with? Will the coloration of the male fry depend only on the male, or does the female also carry some of the traits? If they both contribute color and pattern, should I expect something neat to happen if they mix, or should I expect some monstrosity that will escape the tank and eat the downtown area? Is it proper to call the National Guard and warn them beforehand or only after the fish monster escapes with a lurching gait through the wall?

Also, will the fish monster really be evil, or just misunderstood?

The more you mix, the more colores you tend to get. And it does matter the strain of female, cause they both contribute to color, size, fin length..ect. You can have some ratherinteresting color happenings with mixing, but the thing to the mix is if you are aiming for a certain color or pattern, you have to selectively breed certain males to certain virgin females for proper specifics. Mixed guppies are often overlooked to livebearer or pure strain guppy breeders...not me. I have a big tank where I will toss in one of these, 2 of those...and so on. And I have gotten some pretty neat color from the fry of these spawns. Also, you tend to have healthier fish if you mix...cause there is no imbreeding, until you get far far down the line. This is one reason with the guppies I have, when I get a new strain, I try to get 6-12 of each strain, from 3 different breeders...so I have some same color, but different blood lines. Hope this helps! Still watching the mail BTW, I will let you know when it gets here!

[OrandaMan]

Knew you would answer.

Thanks for the information. You know what? I ain't gonna sell them anyway. I'd love to see what new colors come out. Might give 'em away as presents from time to time.

[OrandaMan]

By the way, I'm learning to really love guppies. I can't wait to get more kinds (though I'll have to wait for a new tank, cause when the fry I have grow up, it's already gonna be crowded... but that should be fun, occasionally trading guppies between tanks to see what comes out.)

[villa1973]

well lets talk about gentics is one of my favorite topic when we talk about guppys.
let see some questions.
1) the females are as important as the males, many genes are passed on the x chromosome, so they go their sons and daugthers, the males are only able to pass genes to their sons only, (i am only talking about sex linked genes)
if u plan to have a line of pure breeding guppys it is really important to select the right male and female if not, dont worry.

[LuckyJ]

Line breeders

I have 5 pairs of guppies. So If I keep the fry form 3 females . Each group to them self.
After 3 or 4 generation would that be lines of thier own. Giving be 3 lines to crossback into each other.
Jay