Michigan Cichlid Association

General Category => General Discussion => Topic started by: SKISWETPETS on January 15, 2013, 09:52:30 AM

Title: Breeding???
Post by: SKISWETPETS on January 15, 2013, 09:52:30 AM
I know its best to have unrelated fish for breeding probly, but is it alright normally to say purchase a small or large group of Juvies to grow up as a "Breeding Group". All opinions/suggestions/experiences and info welcome here. I know most of you guys are much more experienced than I am. Also are there certain species that it may be more okay for this than others? Thanks in advance.
Title: Re: Breeding???
Post by: linuxrulesusa on January 15, 2013, 10:03:49 AM
I've read some of the Tangyanikan Brichardi complex fish - n. pulcher/brichardi/helianthus - tend to get deformities if you inbreed past a few generations.  I'm sure this holds true for some other fish.  Seems that it is less true for some of the fish like convicts.  This is a subtle plug for keeping CAs instead of Africans.  :)
Title: Re: Breeding???
Post by: Regalblue on January 15, 2013, 10:21:42 AM
What fish species are we talking about here?
Title: Re: Breeding???
Post by: Ron on January 15, 2013, 11:45:41 AM
The more complex an organism, the more quickly inbreeding becomes problematic.

For africans, a few generations typically isn't an issue. If the fry aren't turning out properly, it's definitely a sign to get new blood in your group. I try when possible to get unrelated fish, for example I'd found some nice electric yellows, raised them up and got a nice group of females and then managed to find a few nice F1 males.

On the flip side I've got some F1 N. linni and intend on breeding those with one another once they are older (presuming I actually get some females this time - last time I had 5/6 as males).
Title: Re: Breeding???
Post by: SKISWETPETS on January 15, 2013, 12:29:51 PM
What fish species are we talking about here?
I suppose I would be referring to mostly Africans. But in general im wondering about other experiences also... Since the auction is coming up, I will have an opportunity to purchase possibly many different groups of probably "brother/sister" juvies. So that is the reason for my questioning here.. ;D ;D