If I kept a gang of my current baby BN's will there be any issues if they breed with each other some way down the line, I'm not sure how incest affects fishes???...ideally I would prefer to swap out for new genetic material but is there any significant issues if I didn't want to lose my home grown babby's....
Bn Breeding
- Thread starter LakeyGal
- Start date
jollysue
Fish Connoisseur
It is rather common in the hobby to inbreed. But it would be good to infuse some new blood as the children start breeding with parents and grandparents, etc.
If they aren't albinos or some other modification, wild caught may be a good addition. This is just imo.
If they aren't albinos or some other modification, wild caught may be a good addition. This is just imo.
jollysue
Fish Connoisseur
Are you in England?
Yup
jollysue
Fish Connoisseur
Sorry, I didn't get the notice you'd replied.
PM Studz
Perhaps also Coryman, Paulf, and Teelie
PM Studz
Perhaps also Coryman, Paulf, and Teelie
littleme1969
Fish Herder
I would say avoid if possible. Birth defects are quite common if you inbreed too much, Usually in the spine area. You end up with short fish 
that have twisted spines. Ive bought in large batches of fry in the past to grow on so I can pick out a few good quality fish to add to my breeding stock and its quite obvious when they have been in bred due to deformaties sadly. Its something I dont do myself. I make sure when I'm buying in new strains that I buy from several different suppliers up and down the country and also local shops if they can get them in. Strong genetics tend to mean very healthy fish that go on to have healthy young.
that have twisted spines. Ive bought in large batches of fry in the past to grow on so I can pick out a few good quality fish to add to my breeding stock and its quite obvious when they have been in bred due to deformaties sadly. Its something I dont do myself. I make sure when I'm buying in new strains that I buy from several different suppliers up and down the country and also local shops if they can get them in. Strong genetics tend to mean very healthy fish that go on to have healthy young.I would say avoid if possible. Birth defects are quite common if you inbreed too much, Usually in the spine area. You end up with short fish
Hmm, I suspected as much, may be posting requests to swap in a few months time in that case...
I've recently been offered some L182's & Longfins but they are brothers & sisters from wild parents so I guess I'll be looking for some more if I want them to breed.
Here comes another tank purchase...ho hum....
Teelie
Fish Aficionado
I'm not quite an expert on breeding plecs but I do agree to keep the blood fresh and diverse if possible. With tank bred fish, you want the widest possible genetic variance as you can get since the gene pool is more constricted than in the wild and often times you'll run into the same relations of fish in the local area. Inbreeding isn't as big a problem as it can be for higher-form animals but it is still best to avoid it.
Ideally, if you could find someone else who is breeding or selling them from another location (either someone importing them or going there yourself), you could trade or buy from them to keep your fish stock healthy. As littleme1969 pointed out, inbred fish are more prone to defects and deformities. They're also more susceptible to immune compromises from disease or infections due to a weakened immune system.
edit: One other thing, the F1 brother and sister could breed as the odds are much more likely to have enough genetic diversity than that from a tank bred pair that might have been bred repeatedly within the same blood line for generations. It still would be best to get non-related partners for them but in a bind or just itching to breed them, you probably would be okay with them producing offspring. Just don't let the offspring reproduce with themselves or the parents.
Ideally, if you could find someone else who is breeding or selling them from another location (either someone importing them or going there yourself), you could trade or buy from them to keep your fish stock healthy. As littleme1969 pointed out, inbred fish are more prone to defects and deformities. They're also more susceptible to immune compromises from disease or infections due to a weakened immune system.
edit: One other thing, the F1 brother and sister could breed as the odds are much more likely to have enough genetic diversity than that from a tank bred pair that might have been bred repeatedly within the same blood line for generations. It still would be best to get non-related partners for them but in a bind or just itching to breed them, you probably would be okay with them producing offspring. Just don't let the offspring reproduce with themselves or the parents.
littleme1969
Fish Herder
Hmm, I suspected as much, may be posting requests to swap in a few months time in that case...
I've recently been offered some L182's & Longfins but they are brothers & sisters from wild parents so I guess I'll be looking for some more if I want them to breed.
Here comes another tank purchase...ho hum....
[/quote]
Swapping on here is a good way. I always have lots of yougsters available and all my stock is very wide in genetics due to crossing in and out with both browns and albinos, Also I only keep breeding pairs a few months then they are sold on and I start with a new pair, so the lieklyhood of my yougsters being realted is very remote.
As for the L182s as far as I know these guys can get to 9" unlike the other strain L183 that is a standard Bn size.
I'm after some Long fins myself to add to others that I have and am starting a breeding programme with. I'm happy to offer the guy a good price if hes interested.
I've recently been offered some L182's & Longfins but they are brothers & sisters from wild parents so I guess I'll be looking for some more if I want them to breed.
Here comes another tank purchase...ho hum....
[/quote]
Swapping on here is a good way. I always have lots of yougsters available and all my stock is very wide in genetics due to crossing in and out with both browns and albinos, Also I only keep breeding pairs a few months then they are sold on and I start with a new pair, so the lieklyhood of my yougsters being realted is very remote.
As for the L182s as far as I know these guys can get to 9" unlike the other strain L183 that is a standard Bn size.
I'm after some Long fins myself to add to others that I have and am starting a breeding programme with. I'm happy to offer the guy a good price if hes interested.
littleme1969
Fish Herder
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