[RML] Breeding Program - F1, F2, backcrosses

C. Shamsid-Deen (csha at usa.net)
Wed, 27 May 1998 16:01:12 -0500

I'd like to join the breeding program and have been considering which
species I'd like to keep. Space is an issue so I've been looking at
blue-eyes and dwarf rainbows. I'd like to maximize the number of species
while maintaining as few tanks as possible. This brings me to some
questions regarding offspring housing. I don't recall seeing any references
to generations (F0, F1, etc.) while lurking here so don't know how
important it is. Do you all keep your generations pure or do you allow them
to backcross with previous generations? Do you keep several species
together while young (eggs or fry) and separate later or do you keep all
separate at all times.

I currently have M. boesemani in a 55 planted tank but don't know what
strain. How can I determine that? They originally came from a reliable
hobbyist breeder several years ago although I don't know how to contact him
now. I have a few of their first spawn (3-5 cm now) back in with the
parents currently but would also like to add more to expand the gene pool.
If I don't know what strain I have that's a problem. What do you suggest?

I have one 20L tank currently holding dwarf cichlid fry that I'm planning
to use. I also have another 20L that I'll be switching some peacock
gudgeons to shortly to try and breed (I've had them in a 20XT tank with
some boesmani fry but that doesn't appear to be working). Basically, I'm
trying to move around a few things and possibly combine others to make room
(may be able to add a few more 10's), and would like to determine if and
what I can keep together in a tank even if only for a limited time so I can
plan accordingly.

I'm interested in P. connieae, P. paskai, P. tenellus, M. praecox, and M.
pygmaea. Any help you can provide is much appreciated.

Carvi Shamsid-Deen
Aquaria/Fish Forum on CompuServe
http://www.csi.com/pets