What would you do?

**BigPoppa** · 05-09-2012, 02:06 PM

I have an in-law who is moving over seas(military) and he is sending me his breeding trio of Red Albino guppies and his Platinum Red Thai guppies which he has been breeding and showing and selling for a long time.

He sells these guppies for big $$$!

I hate to mix these with the mutt guppies that I have now because his are pure and once I mix them with the ones I got they wont be pure for long!

It just sucks to ruin these guppies by mixing them with mine but I dont want 2 guppy tanks and I dont really want to part with the guppies I have to keep his pure. Even though I probably should.

What would you do?

Should I start over with his as I will have some mighty fine guppies or just put them in the tank with mine?

**Lady Hobbs** · 05-09-2012, 02:13 PM

His won't be pure for long if they just interbreed over and over again with their own off- spring. I think it would take multiple tanks to keep separating family members from interbreeding and that sounds like more of a hassle than you'd want to go to.

**ScottishFish** · 05-09-2012, 02:14 PM

I would keep and breed his. Watch for inbreeding though, you can't let all the F1, F2 breed or you will end up with bent spines and problems

**Cermet** · 05-09-2012, 02:16 PM

The solution is very simple - buy an inexpensive tank divider - they are sold to fit most tanks. Give these fish a 1/5 tp 1/4 of the tank.

**BigPoppa** · 05-09-2012, 02:52 PM

I got to be honest Im not looking to set up ANOTHER tank.

He has multiple multiple tanks and is very involved in the trade.

Im down to this, do I put his in with mine or do I get rid of mine and just keep his?

His are going in the 37 gallon either way, question is do i keep mine.

Sadly Ill prob just mix them together I just feel bad he spends so much time making them perfect and Im just going to throw them into a tank full of mutts.

If Id known this 2 weeks ago Id just waited on his been since I already have mine I hate to rid them. Well the wife does anyways I could easily deal with getn rid of the ones we got but she likes the yellow one and the orange one and................WOMEN!!! lol gota love em!

**BigPoppa** · 05-09-2012, 02:54 PM

Dont guppies hold there sperm for like 8 cycles of babies or something like that?

If thats the case the famales should still have some becent babies for awhile before getting bred by one of my MUTTS lol???

Right?

**Lady Hobbs** · 05-09-2012, 02:57 PM

This woman would have no problem with it! LOL The only reason they would have to be divided is so they do not interbred but if you are not going to get into the breeding, selling, raising, separating, etc, then who cares if they are together? That is only a concern for breeders.

**BigPoppa** · 05-09-2012, 06:19 PM

Originally Posted by Lady Hobbs

This woman would have no problem with it! LOL The only reason they would have to be divided is so they do not interbred but if you are not going to get into the breeding, selling, raising, separating, etc, then who cares if they are together? That is only a concern for breeders.

I agree.

I just hate to ruin what he has started.

**mermaidwannabe** · 05-09-2012, 06:26 PM

Is he giving you these guppies to permanently keep, or is he going to expect them back when he returns?

If you're just caretaking for them but they aren't going to be yours, you should discuss your dilemma with him and see if a satisfactory solution can be found.

If he intends for you to keep them forever as your own pets, then it shouldn't matter to you, unless you wish to breed and sell them, then using a tank divider would be the simplest answer.

Sounds like an imposition unless he's gifting them to you. Is he willing to pay for a separate tank and necessary accessories so you can keep them away from your mutt stock? What about extra food?

Most folks who leave off their pets for someone else to temporarily take care of at least provide their basic necessities. On the otherhand, if he's giving them to you outright, then enjoy them and don't worry about it ...

-- mermaidwannabe