Why Does This "guppy" Fry Look So Weird?

[fry_forever!]

Hi. A couple of weeks ago, I managed to save only 3 fry from my 20 gallon tank. I had a major case of ich in my 20 gallon, so I decided to move the babies to my 2.5 gallon. Two of the babies died, but now, approx. 2 weeks later, one is still alive, but has taken on a weird body shape.

Instead of being thin and long, he is short and fat. He has a long dorsal and anal fin, with weird black lines running across his body. He looks more like a black skirt tetra now, minus the black fins. I'm starting to have my doubts that he is a guppy? He is eating normally, and is actually extremely active, with no diseases. I only have mollies, platies, a swordtail, guppies and corys in my 20 gallon. I think this guy might have some genetical defects or something, but I'm really not sure. Do you know what it could be? I will try to post some pictures of him on here, but I can't garauntee anything!

Thanks in advance for any help!

-fry_forever!

 

[MewMew42]

hey

could you get a picture at all?

=]

 

[fry_forever!]

hey

could you get a picture at all?

=]

Yes, I'm going upstairs to get a picture right now! BRB.

 

[fry_forever!]

hey

could you get a picture at all?

=]

The baby is nowhere in sight! Maybe I'll just post again in the morning when I can find him...

 

[HCpetraitis]

Well, the best answer would probably be inbreeding. When two guppies inbreed, the babies usually turn out to be deformed and a have a smaller chance of living.

 

[OldMan47]

Don't even play that trump card Petraitis. Inbred fish are some of the best around. The problem you get into is irresponsible breeding of defective fish. That does lead to a general decrease in vigor, etc. In the meantime, the most likely source of a stocky fish is probably a molly if it is larger than you would expect at this age or the platy if it is the right size but just the wrong shape. Both platy and molly fry are much stockier in appearance than a guppy fry. A first day molly fry looks like this, color may vary with specific inbred stock that is meant to give particular colors. It can even vary with inbred stock meant to give a particular finnage. These highly inbred fish are as healthy as a horse.

 

[HCpetraitis]

Well, sorry! I was just saying that there can be many defects when to fish breed together after many many years of the fish breeding between families. I'm not saying that all fish inbred are deformed I was just saying its possible. It could also be just a big fish.

 

[fry_forever!]

Don't even play that trump card Petraitis. Inbred fish are some of the best around. The problem you get into is irresponsible breeding of defective fish. That does lead to a general decrease in vigor, etc. In the meantime, the most likely source of a stocky fish is probably a molly if it is larger than you would expect at this age or the platy if it is the right size but just the wrong shape. Both platy and molly fry are much stockier in appearance than a guppy fry. A first day molly fry looks like this, color may vary with specific inbred stock that is meant to give particular colors. It can even vary with inbred stock meant to give a particular finnage. These highly inbred fish are as healthy as a horse.

Okay, well thank you -- that made me think about my situation a little bit....

But no, this is NOT a guppy, molly, platy OR swordtail! (OR cory! And those are all the fish I have!) Okay, so here's an update: Sorry, I can't put pictures on because you need an account on photobucket or something and I KNOW my parents would not allow that... So, I will try to describe him again, and it's getting easier, because he's getting MUCH bigger.

Okay, so he was born looking like a normal, healthy guppy fry. I found 2 other baby guppies the day after. His siblings died due to ich, so now I keep him in my 2.5 gallon with some other baby guppies. It's now about 3-4 weeks later since he was born, and he looks NOTHING like a guppy now! He has a short and fat body, like a platy, but he is reddish-brown in colour! He also has black stripes running across his body vertically, and has a very huge anal and dorsal fin. He swims like a tetra, in short strong bursts, and closes his fins when he moves. It also looks like "he" has a gravid spot, from what I can see... He IS perfectly healthy, he just swims like and looks like a black skirt tetra. The last time I had any tetras at all was like, at least 6 months to a year ago, so I can't see him being a tetra... I will TRY to get a video on youtube of him, since I can't get pictures, but my camera sucks for vids.

Thanks for all the help so far, but this guy has really got me stumped. I still think it's just a genetical defect, but he's just so healthy! It doesn't make any sense! He's eating fine, swimming fine, finding leftover food fine, and interacting with other guppy babies fine -- so I just DON'T KNOW!

If you can think of any more answers, I will greatly appreciate it, and I will try to get that video on of him, but wish me luck!

Cheers!

P.S. He swims like this:
http/www.youtube.com/watch?v=tFaGKRPCntQ

 

[HCpetraitis]

Well, if he is healthy then he will probably turn outfine. Don't worry be happy!

 

[OldMan47]

Have you brought in any plants lately? Some fish are egg scatterers or lay eggs in plants. If you added some plants recently it could be a hitch hiker unrelated to the fish in your tank.

 

[fry_forever!]

Have you brought in any plants lately? Some fish are egg scatterers or lay eggs in plants. If you added some plants recently it could be a hitch hiker unrelated to the fish in your tank.

Hmmm.... that's a good theory.... But the last plant I bought was a java fern, and that was about 6 months ago....

And I'm not worrying! I'm extremely happy he's doing good! I'm just curious as to what kind of fish he is. I will still try to post a vid of him though, just to show him off.

 

[OldMan47]

I doubt a hitchhiker egg lasting that long. Keep an eye on that little guy and give us a picture when you can. There are those here that might be able to identify him.

 

[fry_forever!]

I doubt a hitchhiker egg lasting that long. Keep an eye on that little guy and give us a picture when you can. There are those here that might be able to identify him.

Okay. I'm trying to get a picture on here, but I need an account on a photo site, (i.e. photobucket) and I'm not allowed to get an account. I can probably get a video, but it won't be as good quality as a picture. He's starting to looks like a weird coloured platy fry now...?

I will try, but is there any other way to put a picture on without having to use a photo site?

Thanks for all the help!

 

[Zekumi]

I always use places like http/www.imagehost.org/ or http/imageshack.us/

You don't need an account for either of them. Simple upload the photo(s) and be on your merry way. :3

 

[fry_forever!]

I always use places like [URL="http/www.imagehost.org/"]http/www.imagehost.org/[/URL] or [URL="http/imageshack.us/"]http/imageshack.us/[/URL]

You don't need an account for either of them. Simple upload the photo(s) and be on your merry way. :3

Awesome! Thanks -- will check the sites out after school, and try to get a picture of the little guy!