New Color Strain

[cer]

I was searching the web and found a web site on breeding show guppies. I thought it was intresting so I read the whole thing. While reading I read a paragraph on creating your own color strain by crossbreeding then breeding the young that look like their parents to create a new color strain. I think it would be a fun project for me to try and I am willing to use a 15 gallon my friend is giving me.
Has anybody had experience on breeding the guppie, raising the fry, and what a guppy set up should look like? Thanks!:hmm3grin2orange:

[rich311k]

Do some reading. You need to seperate males and females. Mate the fish you want, in order to fix strains and get the colors you want you need to seperate the male and female fry before they are old enough to mate. Then select new mates and repeat the process. You will need grow out tanks and a place to dispose of excess fry. It can be a great project but be sure to read up and be sure you have the resources and time to do it.

[cer]

Thanks for the help I just would like to have a color strain I can call my own "mix".

[ILuvMyGoldBarb]

Just be aware that you will want to use multiple pairs. Not only will the desired colors be passed on, but so will the undesirable characteristics. When you limit the gene pool in this way, the species will become genetically weak. That is why many guppy strains have a reputation for being somewhat delicate. It creates some pretty fish, but also eventually creates a number of genetic issues as well.

[HeatherB]

Also, be careful when buying females, because they can store sperm. So if they have had any contact with males, you may get a good several months worth of 'undesired' fry from other males.

If you can get them young enough it may work.