Livebearers: Guppy Crossbreeding Exceptions

what livebearer will not crossbreed with guppy

Guppies are livebearing fish that are popular among aquarium hobbyists. They are easy to breed and can be crossbred with other livebearers such as Endlers, Swordtails, Platies, and Mollies. However, it is important to note that crossbreeding does not always result in viable offspring, and the fry may be sterile or have a shorter lifespan. Guppies have also been known to crossbreed with mosquitofish on rare occasions.

Characteristics Values
Livebearer that will not crossbreed with Guppies N/A
Livebearers that will crossbreed with Guppies Endlers, Swordtails, Platies, and occasionally Mollies

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Guppies and Endlers can crossbreed

Guppies and Endlers are both livebearers that can crossbreed. They are both in the same genus, Poecilia, and can produce viable offspring. In fact, Endlers are so closely related to guppies that they share the same genetic makeup. However, they are distinguished by the scientific name Poecilia wingei and are sometimes referred to as Endler guppies for conservation purposes.

Endlers were first discovered in Laguna de Patos, Venezuela, in 1937, and then rediscovered in 1975 by Dr. John Endler, for whom the fish is named. They are brightly coloured freshwater fish, similar in appearance to common guppies, and are extremely easy to keep and care for. Male Endlers measure up to one inch in length, while females can grow to almost two inches. Endlers can live up to three years in captivity, and even longer in some cases.

Like guppies, Endlers are prolific breeders and can produce new fry every 23 to 24 days when given the right conditions. They give birth to fully-formed live young, and the fry are active swimmers despite their tiny size. Endlers and guppies can be crossbred, but it is important to note that the female Endlers may succumb to death due to the size of the fry if the father is a guppy. Additionally, it is recommended to keep the strains pure to avoid diluting the genes of this already threatened species.

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Swordtails and Platies can crossbreed

Swordtails and platies are two of the most popular aquarium fish in the world. They are closely related, belonging to the Xiphophorus genus, and can interbreed to produce viable offspring. In fact, most aquarists have likely kept hybrids of these species without realising it.

Swordtails and platies are very closely related, and because of their biological proximity, they can easily interbreed. This has led to a wide variety of fin and colour configurations, making them top sellers alongside other favourites like guppies, mollies, angels, neons and cardinals.

Swordtails and platies can be distinguished by their body shape. Platies tend to have more elongated bodies, while swordtails are shorter. However, due to selective breeding, some platies may appear shorter and more swordtail-like, and vice versa.

The offspring of swordtails and platies are likely to be healthy and fertile. However, there is a chance that most of the fry will die, and those that survive may be sterile or have deformities. The offspring will likely be a mix of swordtails and platies, with some exhibiting characteristics of both parents.

In summary, swordtails and platies can indeed crossbreed, and this has been a common practice for nearly 100 years, leading to the wide variety of swordtails and platies available in the aquarium trade today.

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Guppies and Swordtails won't crossbreed

Guppies and swordtails are two different species of livebearer fish. While livebearers can sometimes crossbreed, it is rare for this to occur between species that are not in the same genus. Guppies are part of the Poecilia genus, while swordtails are part of the Xiphophorus genus. Therefore, guppies and swordtails will not crossbreed.

Guppies can crossbreed with Endlers, which are also known as Endler guppies, as they share the same genetic makeup. Guppies can also crossbreed with mollies, although this is less common. Swordtails can crossbreed with platies, which are also known as swordtail platies.

It is important to keep guppies and swordtails in separate tanks if you want to avoid crossbreeding and produce purebred offspring. However, even if you keep them in the same tank, male swordtails will not be able to fertilize female guppies, so there is no risk of crossbreeding between these two species.

While crossbreeding between guppies and swordtails is not possible, it is important to note that some livebearers can crossbreed with other species within the same genus. This can result in hybrid offspring that may have a higher risk of deformities and reduced reproductive capabilities. Therefore, it is generally recommended to keep different species of livebearers in separate tanks to avoid unintended crossbreeding.

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Guppies and Mollies rarely crossbreed

Guppies and mollies belong to the same Poecilia genus, and they can coexist in the same tank, as they have similar water requirements and are both peaceful and social. They are also both livebearers, giving birth to live fish, and are enthusiastic breeders, so they are compatible tank mates and can reproduce peacefully.

However, the hybrid offspring are rarely viable. While some aquarists claim to have produced healthy fish by crossbreeding mollies and guppies, these claims are disputed. It is generally believed that the offspring of this combination are non-viable and sterile.

The best chance of crossbreeding guppies and mollies involves a male guppy and a female molly, with two to three female mollies for every male guppy, and no other fish species in the tank to distract from the crossbreeding. The tank temperature should be kept between 70 and 76 degrees F, and regular water changes are necessary to prevent toxins from building up.

Even with these ideal conditions, the survival rate of the hybrid fry is very low, and those that do survive to adulthood are usually sterile. Therefore, it is recommended that fish stick to their own species when it comes to reproduction.

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Endlers are a type of Guppy

Endlers, scientifically known as Poecilia wingei, are indeed a type of guppy. They are native to the Paria Peninsula in Venezuela, specifically the Laguna de Patos, where they were first discovered in 1937 by Franklyn F. Bond. They were then rediscovered in 1975 by Dr. John Endler, for whom the fish is now named.

Endlers are very similar to common guppies, but there are some differences between the two species. Endlers are typically smaller, with wild-type patterns and colours, while guppies are selectively bred for varied and vibrant colourations. Endlers have more modest fin shapes, while guppies often have larger, more flamboyant fins. Endler males have much brighter and more intense colours, often with bright metallic orange or green hues. Endler females, on the other hand, have little to no colour on their bodies or fins and resemble plain female guppies.

In terms of behaviour, Endlers are generally more active and agile swimmers than guppies. They exhibit tighter schooling behaviour and more direct mating rituals. Endlers are also more prolific breeders, giving birth to live young approximately every 23 days.

Despite their differences, Endlers and guppies share the same genetic makeup. However, for conservation purposes, Endlers are given the separate scientific name Poecilia wingei. The two species can and do crossbreed, producing hybrid offspring that blend the genetic traits of both parents. While this hybridization can result in unique colourations and patterns, it also dilutes the purebred lineages of both species.

In conclusion, Endlers are a distinct type of guppy, with their own unique characteristics and behaviours. However, their close genetic lineage and ability to interbreed with guppies blur the lines between the two species.

Frequently asked questions

While guppies can crossbreed with Endlers, Swordtails, Platies, and, on rare occasions, Mosquitofish, crossbreeding with Mollies is very rare.

Guppies and Mollies are in the same genus (Poecilia), but they have very different genetic makeups, making it unlikely that their offspring will be viable.

Endlers are a type of guppy (Poecilia wingei) that are distinguished from common guppies for conservation purposes. They are brightly coloured and similar in size to guppies, with male Endlers measuring up to one inch in length and females growing up to almost two inches.

When selecting fish to breed, you should keep in mind the type of fish, their colouring, and the shape of their tails. The fry will inherit these characteristics from their parents.

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