ok so i have in my tank several "zebra" chiclids then four other types of chiclid one of which is a "golden" this is a different genus then the zebras or any of the other fish in the tank, somehow this golden had babys ...three times, yeah kinda weird, the babys have the fins and body colors of the golden but the stripe pattern of the zebra, there bodies are something in-between . is this significant? i didn't know you could cross breed these fish. is this a new "breed" or is this completely common.
2007-05-23 18:32:33 · 8 answers · asked by None 4 in Pets ➔ Fish
Actually, they might be in the same genus: the Golden is a Melanochromis auratus but is also known as Pseudotropheus auratus (Boulenger, 1897)
http://www.itis.gov/servlet/SingleRpt/SingleRpt?search_topic=TSN&search_value=169969
and the Zebra is a Pseudotropheus zebra
2007-05-23 18:40:02 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
As already mentioned these fish are very easily crossed - they are all very closely related. It isn't a new breed of cichid, though a fish store might make up a name for it and sell it anyway. There are mixed feelings about the distribution of fish like this. Some figure it's fine and creates a new fish for aquariums, while purists believe it muddies the strains of the fish available and only does the hobby harm.
They're different then a hybrid like the Blood Parrot, which isn't just two fish crossed, but a multi-generational combination of interbeeding and line breeding in a lab to achieve a certain result. Anyone can crossbreed mbuna, but the more serious hobbiests make a point of not doing so.
2007-05-24 00:32:27 · answer #2 · answered by Ghapy 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Alot of cichlids will breed even across genus lines. It is not a new breed. A breed is when you are selectively breeding for certain traits in one specific species. You have produced a hybred fish out of two seperate species. It is likely that this certain combination has happened before, but there is that chance that this could be a new hybred. jason (phoenix phish care)
2007-05-23 18:54:11 · answer #3 · answered by Magic Mouse 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
It is actually quite common for cichlids to interbreed, i guess it is possible to have a new breed of fish but there are over 2000 different species of cichlids identified and cichlids that you buy in a pet store interbreed so often that the chances of you winning the lottery are better than discovering a new species (unless you are in lake victoria africa)
2007-05-23 18:44:34 · answer #4 · answered by jason w 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It isnt unusual for cichlids to cross breed. Its gonna be really hard for you to tell if they are a cross or the same when they are small. Dont let the bars fool ya either. Alot of cichlid young start out having bars, then as they get older the bars disappear and their color starts to change. Post some pictures as soon as you can. We will be able to help you more.
2007-05-24 09:14:14 · answer #5 · answered by Li'l Devil 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
It's common for cichlids to interbreed. What you have technically isn't a "breed", but a hybrid. To be a breed, or species, the fish would have to be able to produce more like themselves if they were mated. Hybrids are often sterile, but if they can mate and produce offspring, they would show a range of characteristics from one of the "grandparent" species to the other.
Some other types of cichlid hybrids you might have heard of are the blood parrots (midas x red head cichlids) and the flowerhorn.
2007-05-23 18:52:42 · answer #6 · answered by copperhead 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋
You haven't created a new breed of cichlid...anymore than a cockapoo is a new breed of dog.
In actuality, you've just had 2 fish of different breeds (not SPECIES), spawn. This is no different than having a German shepherd breed with a lab. The babies are "mutts".
The trick is to keep your breeding stock true..not cross it.
2007-05-24 03:09:19 · answer #7 · answered by Barb R 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
technically you have created a hybrid. parrot fish are cichlid hybrids.
2007-05-23 18:54:21 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋