Introduce new guppy genes?

[Finatic005]

Hello Fishlore,

I just had my first batch of guppy fry and I’m wondering if I would ever have to introduce new genes or if brothers could breed with their sisters and so on? Like would any birth defects or genetic diseases occur if I don’t introduce new genes to the colony? Thanks for any info!

 

[flyinGourami]

I would introduce new guppies for genetic diversity, but for now breeding the siblings should be fine. You will always get certain deformed ones, no matter what, adding different guppies to the gene pool just makes it less likely. I would add new ones once in a while. Its not necessary but its best to do that maybe a few times a year. Also, keep in mind that again there are going to be some that have bad genes. I would remove the ones that are deformed from the colony so that it is "stronger".

 

[Finatic005]

I would introduce new guppies for genetic diversity, but for now breeding the siblings should be fine. You will always get certain deformed ones, no matter what, adding different guppies to the gene pool just makes it less likely. I would add new ones once in a while. Its not necessary but its best to do that maybe a few times a year. Also, keep in mind that again there are going to be some that have bad genes. I would remove the ones that are deformed from the colony so that it is "stronger".

The only problem with adding new ones is that they are kinda rare and I can only get them shipped to me and it’s really expensive. I don’t want to mix a different strain of guppy into it either because it would mess up the coloration and such. Also, how do I get rid of them? I don’t feel right throwing them out

 

[Donovan Jones]

If you have multiple tanks you could select for slightly different ones in each tank and then periodically mix em up to increase diversity.

 

[flyinGourami]

The only problem with adding new ones is that they are kinda rare and I can only get them shipped to me and it’s really expensive. I don’t want to mix a different strain of guppy into it either because it would mess up the coloration and such. Also, how do I get rid of them? I don’t feel right throwing them out

Oh okay. I don't really know then, I would just add new ones in less frequently(maybe once or twice each year?). You can put the ones with deformities in a separate tank, or let the adult guppies eat it. Usually the ones that are REALLY deformed are weak and will be eaten. For the slightly less deformed ones I would just separate them. Also, when/if you do order more, I would try to get them from another breeder so there is genetic diversity too. You could try mixing similar strains together, but it sounds like you don't want that. Hope this helps.

 

[Finatic005]

Oh okay. I don't really know then, I would just add new ones in less frequently(maybe once or twice each year?). You can put the ones with deformities in a separate tank, or let the adult guppies eat it. Usually the ones that are REALLY deformed are weak and will be eaten. For the slightly less deformed ones I would just separate them. Also, when/if you do order more, I would try to get them from another breeder so there is genetic diversity too. You could try mixing similar strains together, but it sounds like you don't want that. Hope this helps.

I might try to order more, but I doubt that is possible. Is it possible to get interesting colorations from mixing two very different looking guppies together? Or would they result in just a brownish color?

 

[Donovan Jones]

It's hard to say what would happen with most but if u do mix em u can still select for the colors u like and as long as drab ones are removed then you'll always have colorful guppies. Do u have any pics of the guppies?

 

[Finatic005]

It's hard to say what would happen with most but if u do mix em u can still select for the colors u like and as long as drab ones are removed then you'll always have colorful guppies. Do u have any pics of the guppies?

I do have some pics, although not on my computer. I'll go post one from my phone

 

[Finatic005]

male right female left ^
30 min old fry

 

[Donovan Jones]

These look like japan blue double swords, so any japan blues will give u similar colors, then u can select back in the yellow body.

 

[Finatic005]

These look like japan blue double swords, so any japan blues will give u similar colors, then u can select back in the yellow body.

Yes they are Japan doubles, I thought I mentioned that?

but I don’t have access to a good source of them

 

[Donovan Jones]

I know my local petsmart usually has a few males once in a while but odds are you'll have to order online to get more.

 

[Finatic005]

I know my local petsmart usually has a few males once in a while but odds are you'll have to order online to get more.

Ya, that will be hard since shipping is so expensive, and so are they