Can fish inbreed??? - Aquarium Advice

feeder_guppy · 07-29-2005, 10:54 PM

Well, I have had the same family of feeders basically. So, like humans with relitives get messed. Does this happen with fish? Like guppies and what not? I have been wondering this qeustion for a while now.

rich311k · 07-29-2005, 11:15 PM

Fish are commonly inbred in order to develop certain characteristics. It could be a certain color, size, fin length etc.

Fish can become weaker if they are inbred to much just like other animals. If you go to websites of breeders that sell angels or discus or whatever, you will see that they often mix in fish from other breeders or import wild stock in order to keep genetic diversity in there fish lines.

If you have bred for several generations it certainly would not hurt to buy some new adults.

**Devilishturtles** · 07-30-2005, 01:24 AM

I agree. Inbreeding is a common problem especially in livebearers. This is why many guppies are not always the healthiest. They are inbred soooo much, that they become weak, deformed, and genetically destined to die young. Always try and mix up your breeding if you can, to prevent this problem.

dr_girlfriend · 07-30-2005, 01:50 AM

Inbreeding is a huge problem, thats why especially in fancy breeds you really need to look for a quality breeder. If your fish are just feeders I wouldnt worry about it to much, but you occassionly will want to bring in some fresh dna so they dont become sterile and deformed.

greenmaji · 07-30-2005, 02:39 AM

When inbreeding fish purposefully... you would be breeding the son or daughter (that have the characteristic that your looking for) back to the mother or father.. if more of the same wanted characteristic comes out of that spawn then the process is repeated once the characteristic is getting steady (a great majority of the offspring are having it) you stabilize the characteristic by breeding the end result of those spawns with a F0, F1 or F2 (wild caught, first generation or second generation of the fish that has been bread in captivity)..

greenmaji · 07-30-2005, 02:42 AM

heavily inbred species could use some F1 or F2 breeding just to negate some of the birth defects that are getting common with them, such as discus.. Dwarfism seems to be a big one right now..

feeder_guppy · 07-30-2005, 09:06 AM

Okay, thanks

07-29-2005, 10:54 PM	#1
feeder_guppy Aquarium Advice Activist Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Winnipeg,MB Canada Posts: 101	Can fish inbreed??? Well, I have had the same family of feeders basically. So, like humans with relitives get messed. Does this happen with fish? Like guppies and what not? I have been wondering this qeustion for a while now.

07-30-2005, 01:50 AM	#4
dr_girlfriend Aquarium Advice FINatic Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: N. CA Posts: 701 Images: 23	Inbreeding is a huge problem, thats why especially in fancy breeds you really need to look for a quality breeder. If your fish are just feeders I wouldnt worry about it to much, but you occassionly will want to bring in some fresh dna so they dont become sterile and deformed. __________________ Fish are friends, not food We weep for the bird's cry, but not for the blood of a fish. Blessed are those who have voice. Pinky: "What are those Brain?" (pointing to a group of people protesting) Brain: "People without jobs Pinky." N. California aquarium maintenance, scuba certification, and boat services. Need computer services in N. California? Click here!

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07-29-2005, 11:15 PM	#2
rich311k Aquarium Advice Addict Moderator Emeritus Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Long Island, NY Posts: 8,972 Images: 35	Fish are commonly inbred in order to develop certain characteristics. It could be a certain color, size, fin length etc. Fish can become weaker if they are inbred to much just like other animals. If you go to websites of breeders that sell angels or discus or whatever, you will see that they often mix in fish from other breeders or import wild stock in order to keep genetic diversity in there fish lines. If you have bred for several generations it certainly would not hurt to buy some new adults.

07-30-2005, 02:39 AM	#5
greenmaji Aquarium Advice Addict Join Date: May 2005 Location: Central Kentucky Posts: 5,937	When inbreeding fish purposefully... you would be breeding the son or daughter (that have the characteristic that your looking for) back to the mother or father.. if more of the same wanted characteristic comes out of that spawn then the process is repeated once the characteristic is getting steady (a great majority of the offspring are having it) you stabilize the characteristic by breeding the end result of those spawns with a F0, F1 or F2 (wild caught, first generation or second generation of the fish that has been bread in captivity)..

07-30-2005, 02:42 AM	#6
greenmaji Aquarium Advice Addict Join Date: May 2005 Location: Central Kentucky Posts: 5,937	heavily inbred species could use some F1 or F2 breeding just to negate some of the birth defects that are getting common with them, such as discus.. Dwarfism seems to be a big one right now..

07-30-2005, 09:06 AM	#7
feeder_guppy Aquarium Advice Activist Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Winnipeg,MB Canada Posts: 101	Okay, thanks