breeding fish - some questions

In the last couple of weeks I've bought a a mix of male and female
guppies and a pair of swordtails and kribs. The male and female
guppies were deliberately bought from different shops so as to ensure
that the male and females were not closely related.

However, I've just been reading on the web that tried to breed from
shop bought guppies is a waste of time, as must will be stunted and
bland, is this true, I've got no interest in breeding for commecial
purposes, it just seemed like something that would add a little
interest for both my daughter (who is mad about guppies) and myself.
Also does the same hold for swordtails and kribs?
Cheers


Brian

On Sun, 27 Jul 2003 23:23:23 GMT, Spindoctor
wrote:

In the last couple of weeks I've bought a a mix of male and female
guppies and a pair of swordtails and kribs. The male and female
guppies were deliberately bought from different shops so as to ensure
that the male and females were not closely related.

I don't know that this matters. I have read that they have been bred
so long that the deleterious (bad) genes have been eliminated.

However, I've just been reading on the web that tried to breed from
shop bought guppies is a waste of time, as must will be stunted and
bland, is this true, I've got no interest in breeding for commecial
purposes, it just seemed like something that would add a little
interest for both my daughter (who is mad about guppies) and myself.
Also does the same hold for swordtails and kribs?

They will probably not be show quality, but who knows, You might have
gotten some where a hobbyist had excess and donated them to the shop.
and who cares, if you are not trying to win shows, then they are for
you to enjoy.


Cheers


Brian


There is a lot of information on the web. some of it is correct, and
some applicable.


--

- Charles
-
-does not play well with others

Regarding the guppies, they need not turn out to be bland. I have many
colorful guppies that are the result of breeding store bought fish.
Their size may not be up to show standards, but if you don't plan to
enter them in any shows, then it doesn't matter. Size is dependent on
feeding and genetics.

Spindoctor wrote:

In the last couple of weeks I've bought a a mix of male and female
guppies and a pair of swordtails and kribs. The male and female
guppies were deliberately bought from different shops so as to ensure
that the male and females were not closely related.

However, I've just been reading on the web that tried to breed from
shop bought guppies is a waste of time, as must will be stunted and
bland, is this true, I've got no interest in breeding for commecial
purposes, it just seemed like something that would add a little
interest for both my daughter (who is mad about guppies) and myself.
Also does the same hold for swordtails and kribs?
Cheers

Brian

Spindoctor wrote in message
...
In the last couple of weeks I've bought a a mix of male and female
guppies and a pair of swordtails and kribs. The male and female
guppies were deliberately bought from different shops so as to ensure
that the male and females were not closely related.

However, I've just been reading on the web that tried to breed from
shop bought guppies is a waste of time, as must will be stunted and
bland, is this true, I've got no interest in breeding for commecial
purposes, it just seemed like something that would add a little
interest for both my daughter (who is mad about guppies) and myself.
Also does the same hold for swordtails and kribs?
Cheers


Brian

Most LFS guppies and swordtails are pond bred and raised so inbreeding is
hard to find once they get to the stores.
The catch with buying these LFS guppies is that you have absolutely no idea
of the genetic stew in their make up. Any cross will produce a variety,
with some being nicer than others.
Check out the sites of top guppy breeders to see how they raise their
guppies. That care will bring out the most in your fish. Usually, we are
talking about a variety of high quality foods, fed frequently, with good
filtration, and frequent water changes. Actually, that is a recipe for most
quality fish.
You can start your searching at:
www.ifga.org

Jim

I have breed many guppies from the LFS and they have turned out to be some
of the nicest fish I have. I say go for it and enjoy!!

D.S.


"Jim Brown" wrote in message
.. .

Spindoctor wrote in message
...
In the last couple of weeks I've bought a a mix of male and female
guppies and a pair of swordtails and kribs. The male and female
guppies were deliberately bought from different shops so as to ensure
that the male and females were not closely related.

However, I've just been reading on the web that tried to breed from
shop bought guppies is a waste of time, as must will be stunted and
bland, is this true, I've got no interest in breeding for commecial
purposes, it just seemed like something that would add a little
interest for both my daughter (who is mad about guppies) and myself.
Also does the same hold for swordtails and kribs?
Cheers


Brian

Most LFS guppies and swordtails are pond bred and raised so inbreeding is
hard to find once they get to the stores.
The catch with buying these LFS guppies is that you have absolutely no
idea
of the genetic stew in their make up. Any cross will produce a variety,
with some being nicer than others.
Check out the sites of top guppy breeders to see how they raise their
guppies. That care will bring out the most in your fish. Usually, we are
talking about a variety of high quality foods, fed frequently, with good
filtration, and frequent water changes. Actually, that is a recipe for
most
quality fish.
You can start your searching at:
www.ifga.org

Jim