Thursday, March 27, 2014

Breed A Ribbon Guppy

Breeding fish teaches about recessive and dominant genetic traits.


Wide, ribbon-like tails distinguish ribbon guppies from other varieties. Some ribbon guppies also have long dorsal fins that trail behind them as they swim. The tail is a genetic trait that may not appear in all ribbon tail offspring. All guppies bear live young. Before birth, prepare a nursery tank with lots of plants to provide hiding places for the fry, or baby fish. Guppies breed easily and quickly, so make sure you have an outlet for your culls, those baby fish you do not wish to keep.


Instructions


1. Place the chosen male and two females with the best tails in one tank. You can recognize the male by the gonopodium, a small rolled up fin at the base of the fish. The pregnant female will carry her babies for 28 days. Her stomach will distend with the babies.


2. Place the pregnant mother into a nursery tank. The nursery tank may be a smaller partition in a larger, 10- to 15-gallon tank, or it may be an entirely separate tank. After the mother gives birth, remove her from the nursery tank and place her with the male. If both females get pregnant, keep their offspring in two separate nursery tanks. Allow the babies to grow for three to four months.


3. Choose the male with the best ribbon tail and the two best females from the fry of one mother. Place them in a tank and breed them. Give away or sell the rest of the fry. Repeat with the three best fish, one male and two females from the second female line. Choose only the fish that possess the ribbon tails and color you desire. Sell or give away the rest of the fish.


4. In the third generation, choose the best male of all fry and the two best female of all fry. Breed them, separating the genetic lines to the third generation.


5. Keep any culls or non-breeding fish in the fourth tank.









Related posts



    Breeding puppies is a big responsibility. Be prepared to have your hands full.Breeding a dog may appeal to quite a few dog lovers, but is a major responsibility that must be taken seriously. Accor...
    Yorkshire terrierYorkies are one of the smaller dog breeds that are prized for their big personalities. When breeding Yorkies, also known as Yorkshire Terriers, it is important that you choose a m...
    Pet ferrets can be bred easily if you begin preparing for breeding seasons when you obtain them. Most pet ferrets are neutered or spayed before they are sold, so you may need to seek out private b...
    Breed Labrador Retriever PuppiesBreeding Labrador retrievers is great for fun and profit. Labrador puppies can sell for upwards of $500 each if they are healthy. Many families want to own a Labrad...
    When you breed a bulldog and a pug, you get a well-known hybrid called a miniature bulldog. Since the miniature bulldog is not a purebred, you will not be able to sell it, but the small dogs do ma...