Outbreeding

[stubert]

Hey guys,

Currently breeding a show line of guppies and started getting some nice males/females coming through with some colour alterations which i want to develop, looking closely at the mothers tails can see a few different colours in the light, but drops are primarily yellowish same as the dad.
Realize this line will be inbred as it is but all the fish are strong haven't had any defects yet apart from some weak colours which is to be expected, but how long can i go breeding siblings (will also soon be breeding mothers with sons) before I should really start some outbreeding? Want to cross some strains anyway so will be doing that eventually just want some advice with somebody with some experience first fry i had not far off adult size now and only just starting splitting some up into trios, don't really want to get to the point of getting weak fish rather freshen the line before that.

Thanks

 

[fish48]

you can inbreed them for years with no problems i have some guppies that have been inbreeding for 20 years and still going strong
you can go on breeding siblings mother with sons / Brother and sister or father to daughter.
it don't any difference just let them carry on flock breeding

 

[helterskelter]

I agree with fish48, just remove the runts and select the best.

what show fish have you got?

 

[stubert]

Ah good stuff wasnt sure thought id ask.

Got Newcastles (originally where black and white) and purple(?) Moscows i think. But have been concentrating on raising the Newcastles underestimated how many tanks i would need only something to do so got 4 tanks set up in spare room with 1 more coming soon just a small project for fun

 

[OldMan47]

There is no problem at all with "inbreeding". It is a must if you want to develop a better show fish. the problem will arise if you fail to cull any defectives from your stock. No method but inbreeding has proven as successful when it comes to removing undesirable traits from a line. If you are ready to do that culling, a nice tightly inbred line is your best bet.