Split Tailed Guppies

[Guppy Mama]

A month ago I bought one of those male guppies that has the long, pretty tails that looks as though it's just two long ribbons (even though it actually is connected ). I also bought one of his sisters.

They live in a 30 gallon tank with other guppies with regular fancy tails. I am wondering, do both parents need to carry the genes for that tail, or is there a chance that when he breeds with one of my other females that their babies will have it too? If he has babies with his sister will their babies have that gorgeous tail?

I named him Monet. He' s so pretty, opal-like with a pale blue tail.

What ever you know, let me in on it, please! Thanks very much!

 

[William]

I'm pretty sure its recessive. Of course you will therefore require two parents with split tails to guarentee 100% of the offspring have split tails. Breeding with a fish which could have a recessive split tail in there (ie your females) but more likely.. the first generation (female will be dominant regular tail) and so 100% of the offspring will be normal tail, rebreed the offspring together and you will get 25% with split tails which you can then rebreed. 50% of the other fish showing normal tails will have the reccesive allele "masked" by the dominant. 25% will be dominant and have no allele.

Good luck + have fun!

 

[Guppy Mama]

William,
You sure seem to be around when I need some help, so, here's another thank you! This information is fascinating. I don't how involved I'll actually get with the whole process. My tank is full of beautiful mutts. I can only trace their lineage by seeing what they look like when their color comes in and knowing who was in the tank when they were born!


I just gave a freind a 20g and some of my lovely mutt babies...a new fanatic.

I'll just keep an eye out for now! Much appreciated,
Guppy Mama

 

[ruffmeister]

well ill post my findings, i had a blue and yellow male guppy who hjas been through the wars when i first got my tank and had fin rot bless him but managed to shake it off, and has now got two splits in his tails, his second baby whcih i have kept in the main tank now has the same splits but much smaller than the adult. so perhaps it is passed on