Genetic strains

[Undawada]

I was wondering if fish benefit from genetic variety the same way mammals do.

The LFS sells platies bred to have specific colour patterns, such as "Sunburst" Platies. They will breed with other variants, creating offspring with mixed heritage.

Does anyone know if "mutt" fish are more hardy than their blue-blooded counterparts?

Some animals, such as dogs, are succeptable to certain diseases if they are of pure blood. This is due to interbreeding and limiting the genetic information in the strain. Same with fish? no?

 

[clutterydrawer]

yep, same with fish and i think pretty much any living thing (including plants!)

for example, fancy guppies are often sickly because they've been so inbred to get those pretty colours.

 

[SirMinion]

Hybrid Vigor, to give the phenomenom it's correct name, is well documented in animals and plants of all species.
In this case, the word hybrid refers to cross breeding between strains of the same or closely related species rather than entirely different species.

Go to your local garden centre, you will find many seed packets bear the lable "F1 hybrid" which means that they are a first generation cross between unrelated strains making hardier plants and heavier crops of fruit or flowers.

Hybrid vigor can also occur when unrelated species are crossed, but more often that not the offsping has congenital defects and is sterile.
I guess it's a case of "That which does not kill us only makes us stronger"

 

[Undawada]

Good to know.

It's too bad that the hybrid colour patterns aren't popular...