Low-Expectation Guppy Startup

[PineSong]

Great that the snakeskins have survived.

[Fish Folk]

I’m sharing my little “Mutt Guppy” breeding plan here.

First, here’s a look at how I’m trying to “influence” the genetics…

Here’s a look at the 20-gal long Mutt Guppy colony tank, now LOADED with fry, and a longer discussion of how I’m gently trying to nudge the genetic preferences here…

And, finally, here’s a look at the “outcasts” — wild-type males (mostly) — that though pretty in their own right, are not what I’m aiming for…

 

[Fish Folk]

Mutt Guppy tank gets new Cherry Shrimp neighbors. Just trying to disperse my shrimp around the fishroom to (moderately) friendly tanks…

 

[PineSong]

Smart to have some shrimp stashed everywhere just in case. And fun to watch the guppies color up and decide which ones to promote as breeders. I've got some fry who just hit the two month mark and their tails are starting to develop but colors are still pretty drab. Hopefully over the next two months they will start to shine.

[Fish Folk]

On 11/29/2021 at 9:31 PM, PineSong said:

Smart to have some shrimp stashed everywhere just in case. And fun to watch the guppies color up and decide which ones to promote as breeders. I've got some fry who just hit the two month mark and their tails are starting to develop but colors are still pretty drab. Hopefully over the next two months they will start to shine.

They breed so easily, it can feel like a long wait for them to mature. One thing I’m careful to do is feed them _variety_

[PineSong]

On 11/29/2021 at 9:33 PM, Fish Folk said:

They breed so easily, it can feel like a long wait for them to mature. One thing I’m careful to do is feed them _variety_

Me, too. It's a good thing I feed fish before my offspring is awake or I'm sure I'd get comments about how the fish eat better than we do. I feed two foods per meal and can go 4 or 5 days without repeating a food for the fish who aren't tiny fry. Meanwhile, my kid literally has PB&J packed for his school lunch every blessed day.

[Fish Folk]

On 11/29/2021 at 9:41 PM, PineSong said:

Me, too. It's a good thing I feed fish before my offspring is awake or I'm sure I'd get comments about how the fish eat better than we do. I feed two foods per meal and can go 4 or 5 days without repeating a food for the fish who aren't tiny fry. Meanwhile, my kid literally has PB&J packed for his school lunch every blessed day.

roger that! Ditto

[Torrey]

On 11/29/2021 at 7:41 PM, PineSong said:

It's a good thing I feed fish before my offspring is awake or I'm sure I'd get comments about how the fish eat better than we do

I definitely got this comment!

I took the kids to the fridge and pointed out all the vsriety. Then we went to the tank to look for opposable thumbs. I explained that I feed the fish a variety because they can't get what they need without opposable thumbs.

 

Yup, all my kids and foster kids had opposable thumbs!

Not too many complaints after that, because any complaint was immediately followed by a cooking lesson in least favorite foods😅

Whichever kid got the chores completed over the week *and* didn't complain over the course of the week, got to select a meal and have their own cooking lesson.  Fabulous deterrent for whining, and great incentive for completing chores.😅

[Fish Folk]

On 12/1/2021 at 6:14 AM, Torrey said:

I definitely got this comment!

I took the kids to the fridge and pointed out all the vsriety. Then we went to the tank to look for opposable thumbs. I explained that I feed the fish a variety because they can't get what they need without opposable thumbs.

 

Yup, all my kids and foster kids had opposable thumbs!

Not too many complaints after that, because any complaint was immediately followed by a cooking lesson in least favorite foods😅

Whichever kid got the chores completed over the week *and* didn't complain over the course of the week, got to select a meal and have their own cooking lesson.  Fabulous deterrent for whining, and great incentive for completing chores.😅

^This is awesome^

[Fish Folk]

Mutt Guppy update video (eating bbs)…

 

[Fish Folk]

“Young bucks” from the Mutt Guppy tank…

 

[PineSong]

Very pretty! I especially like those blues. Why is it that you want to remove the wild-type genes from your mix? You don't want spots?

[Guppysnail]

Those are looking great. They look like some of my blue. And blue/orange. I think your project is officially no longer a low expectation. 

[Fish Folk]

On 12/22/2021 at 9:34 PM, PineSong said:

Very pretty! I especially like those blues. Why is it that you want to remove the wild-type genes from your mix? You don't want spots?

I want to favor the blue-cast of the large dominant male, and I want yo get more than less long-finned fish.

[Guppysnail]

Here’s what I was able to get using a blue guppy/endler that was guppy trait dominant with long fins. And blue tail female guppies. I used only that one male. I did not take it far enough for them to breed true so I get random but these were the best ones I keep.  The top view they are a hair lighter shiny metallic blue. Of all the millions of pics I have I can’t find a real clear still. 🤣

[Fish Folk]

@Guppysnail those look great! Nice “Evening-Blue” … or “Steel Blue”…

[Minanora]

I love this thread. You have the most fun projects! I have mutts that after a single cross have spots. Not sure if it's because of my Lyretail or if they've gone more "wild" type.

I'm not doing any more mutt project work until February; that way, when they're about 2 months old I can have outdoor tubs with minimal heat at night. Which will also be great for my garden and seed starts! Plants love those nitrates!

I look forward to seeing your next update!

[Minanora]

So what do you do with your "cullings"? I'm having a hard time with this.

[Fish Folk]

On 12/26/2021 at 10:45 PM, Minanora said:

So what do you do with your "cullings"? I'm having a hard time with this.

I may give to my LFS to sell as “feeder guppies.” Or feed to my ravenous Acaras…

[Minanora]

On 12/26/2021 at 7:55 PM, Fish Folk said:

I may give to my LFS to sell as “feeder guppies.” Or feed to my ravenous Acaras…

Ah. Ty. I've been thinking that giving them to my LFS will be my solution. When do you make the call? I'm at 10 weeks on my oldest fry, most are decently colored up, but there are a few that are lagging, a mix of females and males. The longer I wait, the better the ones with color look, but I see minimal change. I've started really diversifying their food, daily, and I see more change, so I'm not sure where I should say "Ok you're food, sorry bro/mam".

I'm also a mom, and it kills me to knowingly sentence any child to death. I can smash gophers, mice, rats, oppsumes; tag deer, boar, turkey, quail. But give up on my little fishies.... nope. 🤣

[Fish Folk]

On 12/26/2021 at 11:13 PM, Minanora said:

Ah. Ty. I've been thinking that giving them to my LFS will be my solution. When do you make the call? I'm at 10 weeks on my oldest fry, most are decently colored up, but there are a few that are lagging, a mix of females and males. The longer I wait, the better the ones with color look, but I see minimal change. I've started really diversifying their food, daily, and I see more change, so I'm not sure where I should say "Ok you're food, sorry bro/mam".

I'm also a mom, and it kills me to knowingly sentence any child to death. I can smash gophers, mice, rats, oppsumes; tag deer, boar, turkey, quail. But give up on my little fishies.... nope. 🤣

I totally understand how hard this sort of decision is. I’m a dad too. We’re blessed with three beautiful boys, and they’re so precious.

Culling is a very personal decision. It’s easier when you’re culling for health or if you have a tank to let culls go wild. I separated out 20+ wild-gene guppies dropped in my mutt guppy tank, and gave them to a kid we know. He was thrilled! Others I toss over in a full tank and just let go wild till I need them for food, for LFS feeder stocking, etc. And sometimes I feed to large fish. Keeps big fish healthy, and it’s nature’s way. I pull out sick fish or unwanted males as soon as I can tell they’re not the colors I want.  It takes at least 6x weeks for me to tell.

I’ve also found that varying their diet does wonders for their colors and development.

[Guppysnail]

On 12/27/2021 at 6:34 AM, Fish Folk said:

I’ve also found that varying their diet does wonders for their colors and development.

I use a cheese grater for frozen bloodworms for the ones to little for the worm. I find when I do that they color up noticeably quicker. I also grind any frozen food and feed live bbs but the frozen bloodworms are what works for quick color in my kids. 

[Fish Folk]

On 12/27/2021 at 6:39 AM, Guppysnail said:

I use a cheese grater for frozen bloodworms for the ones to little for the worm. I find when I do that they color up noticeably quicker. I also grind any frozen food and feed live bbs but the frozen bloodworms are what works for quick color in my kids. 

Awesome tip! I’m so stealing this…

[Minanora]

On 12/27/2021 at 3:39 AM, Guppysnail said:

I use a cheese grater for frozen bloodworms for the ones to little for the worm. I find when I do that they color up noticeably quicker. I also grind any frozen food and feed live bbs but the frozen bloodworms are what works for quick color in my kids. 

This is genius. I'm also going to try this. I recently had a baby die because he choked on a bloodworm... I was shocked. Vacuumed out all the rest right after that.

[Minanora]

On 12/27/2021 at 3:34 AM, Fish Folk said:

I totally understand how hard this sort of decision is. I’m a dad too. We’re blessed with three beautiful boys, and they’re so precious.

Culling is a very personal decision. It’s easier when you’re culling for health or if you have a tank to let culls go wild. I separated out 20+ wild-gene guppies dropped in my mutt guppy tank, and gave them to a kid we know. He was thrilled! Others I toss over in a full tank and just let go wild till I need them for food, for LFS feeder stocking, etc. And sometimes I feed to large fish. Keeps big fish healthy, and it’s nature’s way. I pull out sick fish or unwanted males as soon as I can tell they’re not the colors I want.  It takes at least 6x weeks for me to tell.

I’ve also found that varying their diet does wonders for their colors and development.

I dig it. I can hardly wait to have my outdoor tubs to help.

I had one with a curved spine, tried to put her to sleep... I'm sure I just got her drunk instead. I had to put her back in the tank. Not sure if she made it after that, I haven't seen one with a curved spine since though.