Chistmas Swordtails - the latest breeding quest ;-)

[Melody]

As I was taking pic's the other day, I noticed how the flash pops out the metalics in some black Swordtails I have. They often have metalic blue, green & gold mixed in with the black. You see it differently depending on how the light hits it.

I have black females with clear fins. They're going in a tank with a Hifin male who has red fins. This should bring the red finnage into the black line. My goal is to have Christmas Swords by the time the Holidays roll around again ;) .

Here's the females showing off some of their metalic gleam. One is more green, the other more gold.

Gold - you can see the different appearance even in the limited lighting variations of a small tank:

http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f227/canadiansinternetdotcom/MM-MetalicSword-F.jpg

http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f227/canadiansinternetdotcom/MM-MetalicSword-F-2.jpg

Green:

http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f227/canadiansinternetdotcom/MM-GreenMetalicSword-F.jpg


Now picture those colors with vivid red finnage, probably some gold highlights in the fins too, & a long, hifin dorsal. :D

We have Santa Klaus Swordtails (That's what the 2-Stripe Kois are called in Thailand, etc). Stay tuned for Christmas Swordtails!

[thegrandpoohbah]

Hmm... I'd better start drafting my letter to Santa...

[Osprey]

Very cool. Good luck!

[Melody]

Hmm... I'd better start drafting my letter to Santa...

And be a very, very good boy - that's important. :yes:

[jordonsmum]

Wow, that'll be a nice mix! Great ideas you have over there. I'm looking forward to seeing hte outcome!! Goodluck!:yes:

[Melody]

I am trying to do as much as I possibly can with the space I have and I get right into color/finnage genetics, so I'm forever wanting to try something. Plus I'm as bored as you are....lol.

[CACAdmin]

Christmas Swordtails... cool! ... can't wait! If anyone can pull it off, you can. :yes:

[Melody]

Thanks for the vote of confidence! Not much to it - you know how Livebearers are, all it takes is opportunity and they're reproducing. It will just be a matter of collecting the fry that arrive with the traits I want and back-crossing the rest. It will amuse me :D .

[jordonsmum]

I don't know how I do it.. (get bored I mean) . A 5 yr old, a baby a husband (third kids) and a dog.... remind me again how boredom happens???? lol Mel, anything you produce will be beautiful... and I want some left overs...lol (sorry now I sound like my 5 year old...lol ) puuhhllease...lol;)

By the way, Shawn never said a thing about all the tanks. I'm even upgrading .. I'm selling one of my 10 gals and getting a 25gal for near the same price. He said as long as I'm happy, he's happy.

[Melody]

Well when you get tired of him, I'd like your leftovers....lol....sounds like a great and very smart husband you have there.

I'll be bringing the strain into lyres just as soon as I make me a male. Its reasonably easy with colorless fins to bring a color into the line, its just a matter of growing them out to breeding size, so I should be able to do the regular finnage in those colors by the end of the year, if all goes well.

Intellectual boredom - everyone needs something to ponder that interests them. Knowing five effective methods of treating diaper rash can only take a woman's mind so far. :laugh:

[jordonsmum]

Now when you invent an instant method to solve diaper rash on a fish, THEN you know you're bored...LOL

Some days I just might take you up on your offer to pack him up and send him off.. you get to cover the shipping and handling for 230lb 6'3.5 cargo because on those days I prob won't be willing...LOL nnahhh just teasing... he's a keeper... some days though.... lol

[Melody]

LOL It is impossible to live with another adult and be happy with them all the time. I still say that couples should live in duplexes - keep the magic. ;)

[Shelley]

LOL It is impossible to live with another adult and be happy with them all the time. I still say that couples should live in duplexes - keep the magic. ;)

Well my sweetness and I live in the same apartment.. our secret to happiness is...

He works nights, I work days..:hugs:

[Melody]

I can see that working....lol.

[jordonsmum]

Or like us.. I can send mine away for months at a time and have a honey moon every time he returns... He's in the military. Ten years later it still drives me insane (as you noticed) when he goes away for long periods of time. I end up doing crazy things like buying multiple tanks and breeding fish again...lol It's ok though, he says he still luvs me... ( he doesn't know i'm trading a 10 gal up for a 20-30 gal this week....lol we won't tell will we!

:D :laugh:

[Melody]

lol Testing the extent of that love & devotion hmmm?

[jordonsmum]

Isn't every day a test??? LOL I think he actually might be enjoying it. Last night he gave me crap because my newest tank is still a little bare and told me HE"S buying ornaments for it today.. uh oh... can one house handle TWO addicts??lol:yes:

[CACAdmin]

Pretty soon he'll want a tank of his own and then you'll have more fish to look after when he goes away.;)

[Melody]

Here's some blacks I had with gold finnage. Can't wait to see them in vivid red!

http://members.linkopp.com/biz/sandpiper/images/MM-HighFinBlkYlwSwords-M-3-C.jpg

http://members.linkopp.com/biz/sandpiper/images/MM-HighFinBlkYlwSword-M-5-C.jpg

[jordonsmum]

Hey, if he wants his own tank.. who am I to stand in his way...LOL bring it on!! LOL
It's my birthday in a few days (Mar. 10th) Do I see a 25 gal in my future??? hmmmm:laugh:

Mel, black high fins are gorgeous!!!!!

[Melody]

Only 19 more shopping days until my Birthday. :D

[Mrs.JP]

LOL Hint Hint.
OMG Black and yellow, Beautiful, now I want some.

[Melody]

Those are my babies, but I found that strain at a fish store so I can't take credit for it. :smile:

Yes, a big hint. I usually start in February. Its a big joke around here with the kid....lol.