Guppies: Are Wild Caught Available?

[Dan C]

I am interested in locating a source for truly wild Trinidad guppies.

Do you know of any?

Thanks,

Dan

[Sasquatch]

Unless you live in Trinidad, that's going to be a tall order.

99% of the guppies you find on the market are farmed, bred and hybridized going back hundreds of generations.

Oddly enough, the closest you're going to find to wild type are probably the feeder guppies.

You might be able to find something at highly specialized aquarium stores or places that specialize in south american wildlife.

Best of luck and welcome to the AC.

[Dan C]

Thanks for taking the time to reply. No, I live in Southern Calf. Yes, I know this is difficult, but I have been mulling this over for a bunch of years, and think it would be worthwhile. When I was a kid (in the 40's), I had them for years and loved them. The gene pool surely has diminished. The feeder guppies just don't have that same loveliness that I am remembering. I am a bit surprised the fancy guppy breeder does not introduce genes from wild stock on rare occasion. Seems like vigor and stamina might not be enhanced. But this is pure conjecture on my part and may be way off base.

Any suggestions for those highly specialized establishments located anywhere?

[Algenco]

have you looked at Endlers livebearers?

[gm72]

Dan, I think you are out of luck. I'm not sure I understand why someone would want to take fish out of a natural ecosystem though when equally beautiful fish are available that are farm-raised?

[Dan C]

Thanks for the idea, I had not known about them until your suggestion. Looks like they are quite available.


Dan, I think you are out of luck. I'm not sure I understand why someone would want to take fish out of a natural ecosystem though when equally beautiful fish are available that are farm-raised?

I like the guppy and I am interested in raising them only if I have access to their gene pool from the wild or those who are not many generations removed from it. Simply put, I prefer nature's handy work! I have serious doubts they are in any way threatened in their natural environment. If that would be so, I would not.

[tmartini]

There are a lot of folks that would argue that endlers are guppies. (It's Endler fanatics that are pushing for a seperate species all their own...)

I got some native wild types from:

http://www.swampriveraquatics.com

and had a great experience all around.

These are line bred from a population brought back from Venezuela. My friends give me grief about them being the most expensive feeder guppies ever, but I love 'em. They are really very interesting and hardy fish.

http://www.endlersr.us/