Hybrid Fish

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[edit] About Hybrids

Hybrid fish are often brought up in conversation when it comes to species identification. In order for two fish species to hybridise, they need to be very closely related in the gene pool, even then there's not always a guaranteed cross. Hybrids are not encouraged as they can dilute species and often the offspring are ugly.

Below we have compiled a list of true hybrid fish and how they came about.

[edit] Livebearers

Not all livebearers can hybridise, a Guppy and a Platy for example, cannot cross. These, however, can:

Guppy/Endler Markings

• Guppy x Endler - They will have the elongated fins of the Guppy, but the orange/black distinctive spots of the Endler, they will also be smaller than a Guppy. They can vary in pattern greatly, and many hybrids are now been selectively bred to create specific strains, such as the Tiger Endler. Many Endlers bought in petstores are often Guppy crosses, true Endlers have rounded short fins, the crosses will have more angular longer fins. Female Guppy/Endler hybrids will be harder to spot due to the lack of colour compared to males, it's best to rely on the tail shapes to identify them.
• Platy x Swordtail - Closely related, won't create fish that look much more different than a Platy.
• Platy x Platy - There are several Platy species, store-bought Platys are usually hybrids anyway.
• Molly x Molly - As above.
• Molly x Guppy - Technically possible, but exceptionally rare and any fry are very weak and do not live long. There is no confirmed photographic proof known of true Molly/Guppy hybrids.

[edit] Cichlids

Not all Cichlids can hybridise either, and crosses are often unsightly and undesirable, the exception being the Blood Parrot Cichlid and the Flowerhorn.

[edit] American Cichlids

Male Flowerhorn

• Flowerhorn - The exact crosses that create this fish are unknown, but it's suspected to be a cross of Cichlasoma trimaculatum, Amphilophus citrinellus with possibly Cichlasoma festae and Vieja synspila also added to the mix. Flowerhorns are quite desirable, especially in the Far East, and large males with large nuchal humps can be exceptionally pricey. These fish are also exceptionally aggressive, this may be due to the hybridisation.
• Blood Parrot Cichlid - exact crosses unknown
  • King Kong Parrot Cichlid - obvious Midas Cichlid cross
  • Jelly Bean Parrot Cichlid - often dyed
  • Love Heart Parrot Cichlid - with cruelly amputated tail
• Red Texas - Red Devil x Texas Cichlid
• Texas Jaguar - Texas Cichlid x Jaguar Cichlid
• Convict Cichlid x Severum

[edit] African Cichlids

You need to be really careful when buying African Cichlids from pet stores as many on the market are hybrids, if you want genuine pure breds it's best to go to fellow breeders or at least enquire further about their history. Never buy African Cichlids from a tank labelled "mixed Cichlids", you don't know what you're going to end up with.

[edit] External links

• Aqua Articles