Fancy Guppy Selective Breeding - Using Breeding Tank

 Fancy Guppy Selective Breeding: "Blue Genes"

***Newest post at the top. ***   

April 20, 2013 - 10:00am: 


Action

Completed API General Cure treatment. Performed 10% water change. 
Females feeding on flakes, Guppy fry micro-pellets and freeze dried blood worms on occasion. 
Females have decimated algae wall and controlling algae growth.
3 home bred Ramshorn snails were added last week. No issue or interaction observed. 
Acquired dark blue/metallic blue male from fellow breeder. In 10 gallon with other males. (Fig. 4)Still unsure if he will be used as progenitor. 
Waiting one month to insure females did not come already pregnant from the store. 


Observations

Mature home bred female died of undetermined cause. Potentially from treatment as this was the second treatment she was exposed to. 
Other 4 new females appear to eat well. Feces appear normal on at least 2 of the white/blue females. Orange tailed female potentially still ill. Third white/blue female undetermined.
New male acclimated almost instantly to 10 gallon tank. Displays dominant behavior despite smaller size than local population. 

Fig. 4: Male dark blue/metallic blue (background)  acquired April 20, 2013. Located in 10 gallon with males. Hybrid yellow/weak tuxedo/red bordered yellow tail male (foreground.) This male is inbred but displays interesting tail coloration.

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April 14, 2013- 12:00 pm:(New females arrival). 


Setup
Low tech, cycled 5 gallon fresh water tank with artificial plants (see "Recommissioning of Hospital Tank project - 5 gal )


Water Parameters  

Temp: 26ºC  (rising) 
pH:  ≤ 8.0 
NH4+:  Not tested
NO2−:  Not tested
NO3− : trace


Action

Purchased 4 guppy females. 3 white with blue fins (Fig. 1); one gray with orange fins (Fig.2).
Note: Treating with "General Cure" from API for potential wasting disease infection. Day 1 or treatment.

Observations

2 of the new females might be infected with wasting disease. 
Behavior normal. New females acclimated well with mature female already present.  New females seemed underfed and slightly emaciated upon arrival. After 24 hours, they have heavily consumed green algae present in the tank and seem healthier. All but the smallest blue female eating well. 
Orange-tailed female eating very well.

Figures

Fig. 1: Young white and blue female. Out of 3, one might be infected with wasting disease.

Fig. 2: Orange leopard pattern. This female is infected with wasting disease. A treatment is being attempted using General Cure from API.

Fig. 3: New blue female (left) with home bred mature female (right). Mature female is tuxedo, yellow, leopard pattern mix. Progenitors unconfirmed. This is the original "suicide fish" used to cycle 5 gal tank.