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Any idea what's wrong? | 20 comments (20 topical, 0 editorial, 0 hidden)

genetics and sexuality (none / 0) (#10)
by Phry on Tue Nov 25, 2003 at 06:30:28 AM PST

Interesting you mention that. We recently had a discussion regarding the existence of "XX" guppy males. According to geneticists, some 'male' fish may be born with XX sex chromosomes (like females) instead of the typical XY pattern. The field of fish genetics, however, is very uncertain and scientists constantly argue the method of genetic sexual determination. From what I have read, most biologists agree that guppies, at least, seem to have dual chromosome determination, much in the manner of human beings. An XX male mating with an (XX) female would produce absolutely no male children at all, as the fry would have no parent to inherit the male Y chromosome from. I believe I have such a fish at the moment, although I have been unable to get 'him' to mate. If you notice a similar pattern with drops in the future, you may indeed have such an XX male. Keep us posted...
Another possibility may be water temperature. I have read in some articles that lower (?) water temperature produces a higher frequency of female births. I personally don't know whether this information is viable or not, and it still seems unlikely that ALL your fry would be female. Still, this is another scenario I have heard of that may (or may not) affect gender determination.

[ Parent ]

Interesting about the XX males. Temperature does (none / 0) (#11)
by unclescott on Tue Nov 25, 2003 at 06:19:40 PM PST

seem to impact gender for incubating reptile eggs. Rainbowfish mailing list people have recently suggested harder water correlates with more females. Some killie people would suggest more females for rainforest fishes with softer water. The Livebearers Mailinglist has batted this around too.

Also, sometime the age of a breeder is a factor and it seems like ratios will correct or go the other way as they age. (Anecdotal info....)

[ Parent ]

Interesting... (none / 0) (#12)
by guppygirl on Wed Nov 26, 2003 at 11:50:26 AM PST

I've been getting mostly males in my batches.
(Of course I'm blaming that on the fact that people seem to want my females :-) )

I'm sure if someone came along and said, "Would you send me some males?" I'd be in the opposite boat.

Remember, the Rolling Stones...."You can't always get what you want, but if you try sometimes, you just might get what you need!!"

gg
:-)

[ Parent ]

GG, normally I don't thing that pH is as important (none / 0) (#13)
by unclescott on Wed Nov 26, 2003 at 02:40:56 PM PST

as hardness, but do you know what the pH and hardness of your male producing tank(s) are?

[ Parent ]

pH and hardness (none / 0) (#14)
by guppygirl on Wed Dec 03, 2003 at 03:24:23 AM PST

Hey unclescott,

In my breeding and nursery tanks the pH runs a little higher than my others, about 7.4.

I think that the hardness is a little higher too.
I haven't tested it lately, but my tap water is high pH, and rather hard.
This tank usually gets mostly conditioned tap water because it is upstairs, and I'm always forgetting to bring other water up.

My KH runs between 2 and 3 degrees, or 35.8-53.7ppm.

My GH runs between 8 to 10 degrees, or roughly 140-180ppm.

Another thing with the spirulina, two of my "female" swords that I got from Pisces Moon, have now turned out to be males!!
(She thinks I'm feeding them Viagra for fish)

Roughly same pH 7.2 and hardness 9 degrees.
Weird, huh?

The last litter that I had did produce many males, and the mother is still pregnant. I fear, however, that she has been withholding delivery and have never had a female holdout this long.

She's still a rather small guppy, and eats well,
and I've tried all the tricks that I know. I guess I'll just have to wait.

I'm sure once the swordtails are moved, she'll "pop" a bunch out, I just hope they'll be O.K.

Hope this helped, sorry I took off rambling on you.

Take care,

gg
:-)

[ Parent ]

Not rambling, good info and commentary. (none / 0) (#15)
by unclescott on Wed Dec 03, 2003 at 08:57:18 AM PST

Parameters don't sound bad. We have one set of friends with five sons, another set with all girls (human type). Go figure.

Is there a raffle you should avoid just at the moment? ;)

[ Parent ]

Raffle... (none / 0) (#20)
by guppygirl on Sun Dec 07, 2003 at 12:16:50 PM PST

Not now, but in the past.

All of my siblings, and all of my husbands' sibs.,
had all girls, with the exception of my Godson.

Having spent many years around "high pitched, screaming, shrieking, fussy, snotty, bratty, little girls, I was blessed with two sons.

Don't get me wrong, I love ALL my neices.

I've been asked why I've thought we had boys, and my reply is, "Because there is a God." ;-)

gg
:-)

[ Parent ]

Any idea what's wrong? | 20 comments (20 topical, 0 editorial, 0 hidden)

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