Wild vs Commercial

[Melody]

Do you like the commercial fancy strains of Livebearers or do you prefer to walk on the wild side? I find there are many at the 'expert' level of Livebearer enthusiasts who look down their nose somewhat at commercial strains, while others take great pride in breeding them to show quality standards.

I love both. In wild-types I especially like the species which are threatened in the wild as it gives breeding them a higher purpose. With commercial strains its the genetics that fascinate me, especially color and elaborate finnage.

[mykiss]

Man, I'm voting the same as everyone else!

[thegrandpoohbah]

Both are cool in my books, though I have yet to try any wild types. When are you getting some more in Melody? :D

[blainep]

I like them all, how could you not like them all ?

[Soggybottom]

Hoping that pure genetics will give fish vigour and maybe more natural behaviour I prefer the wild types. Also I figure if aliens ever occupy earth and raise humans as pets, I'd rather they let me breed with someone outside my own family and normal looking, rather than my cousin, even if she did have a neat blue pattern on her butt... In the interests of karmic balance, I give my fish the same consideration.

[thegrandpoohbah]

I figure if aliens ever occupy earth and raise humans as pets, I'd rather they let me breed with someone outside my own family and normal looking, rather than my cousin, even if she did have a neat blue pattern on her butt... In the interests of karmic balance, I give my fish the same consideration.
:notworthy: Best reply ever!

[blainep]

Hoping that pure genetics will give fish vigour and maybe more natural behaviour I prefer the wild types. Also I figure if aliens ever occupy earth and raise humans as pets, I'd rather they let me breed with someone outside my own family and normal looking, rather than my cousin, even if she did have a neat blue pattern on her butt... In the interests of karmic balance, I give my fish the same consideration.

:rofl: , Of course, now I'm wondering if any of my cousins has a pattern on their butt !

[Melody]

ROFL You people crack me up! :rofl:

Mr. SB, Wild-type doesn't necessarily mean wild-caught, they can be just as inbred, if not more. Especially the threatened ones as we can't GET more. Technically speaking, the wild-types lose their genetic diversity and therefore are no longer truly wild-types, but its more important to preserve the species at that point. If we breed the entire captive population from 4 pairs in the hobby and can't get more, then we are messing with traits that may never be dominant in the wild, such as a blue butt....er....anal fin.

That's where the importance of records comes in. If there are 3 known collection locations of Rainbow Goodeids kept, we can outcross if necessary. Many also feel its important to keep collection locations separate and it is, but if we have to, we have to. The more information you can get about the breeder and his fish, the better.

Mr. Grandpoohbah, some will be in next week in fact, though there's not much for extras but I'll be breeding them. I have three different Wild-type Sailfin Mollies coming in. Two are from different collection locations, one is a completely different Sailfin with a little sword in its tail. The latter is believed to be the largest of all Mollies, breaking 6" easily, and is rarely seen in the hobby - never in Canada to my knowledge. I think its spelled "Kykesis" but I'll have to check that. Those are from the breeder who practically swept the Molly category at this year's American Livebearer Association show. He won 1st in the Limia category with his L. Perugiae, which I'm also getting in from him.

I have some wild-caught Liberty Mollies that are also from an award-winning breeder. I have Nezzie Swordtails from that breeder too. I have Rainbow Goodeids with a hugely pregnant female right now, along with B. Holdridgei. I also have I. Furcidons but I'll be selling those off after I catch them so I can sex them. All establishing their breeding colonies or flying out of the tanks as quick as I can breed them to waiting lists.

Mr. SB will be sending me some of his L. Nigrofasciata soon, so we can talk if you'd like to get some of those. Marge has some stunning Green Goodeids. Mr. Mykiss, of course, has his Het's.

For fancies, I concentrate on Lyretail Swordtails, Plumetail Platies and Hifins in both, along with Albino Swordtails.

[Soggybottom]

I thought that might be the case. I'm still going to cling to my prejudice though until I develop my worldwide network of collectors, breeders and customs officials :)

[CACAdmin]

I was originally only into fancies (Platies & Mollies) but this summer developed an interest in wild-types (when I got my Hets).:cool:

[fishenthusiast]

I like fancies, but I must say I am a wild thang.

I love all wilds, their natural colours can be stunning and I like knowing that I am doing my part to help preserve their natural beauty.

Admittedly I have never bred fancies, though I did have some female guppies that gave birth once (no males in the tank):wideeyed:.

[Melody]

My fascination with the domestic strains is in the genetics. Cross this with that get this or that and one of those....lol. I don't like breeding creatures that all look alike as much. Even when I buy Guppy strains, carefully set by their breeders, the first thing I want to do is cross them with something to see what happens. I'm sure they'd appreciate knowing that I've ruined their hard work. :swoon:

[blainep]

I find I like both, for different reasons. I like wild types because they are wild types, beautiful, bright fish created by mother nature herself.

I like the domesicated fish for the striking characteristics. I remember, a loooooong time ago, walking into a pet store and seeing a tank filled with bright silver lyertail mollies. I was young enough then to not have a clue what kind of fish they were, but the striking color and personality of the fish was enough to make me sure I wanted them.

[CACAdmin]

Here is a poll we ran when we first launched the site six months ago. Now that we have so many new folks around, it would be nice to hear your opinion/thoughts on your preferences, too.:yes: