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From The Aquarium Wiki

Contents 1 About Hybrids 2 Livebearers 3 Cichlids 3.1 American Cichlids 3.2 African Cichlids 4 Catfish 5 External links

[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.

An interesting observation, especially with Catfish hybrids, is the growth of these fish is twice as fast as their purebred relatives, this must be taken into account if you are considering keeping a hybrid! They may also grow larger than either of their purebred parents.

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 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 already.
• Molly x Molly - (or Poecilia sphenops), as above with Platys.
• Molly x Guppy - Technically possible, but exceptionally rare and any fry are very weak and do not live long.

[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. It is NOT encouraged to breed these hybrids and put them into the pet trade, it only dilutes bloodlines.

[edit] American Cichlids

It must be noted that many of these crosses are highly aggressive fish and are best kept in species tanks or with equally mean-tempered robust tank mates. The only real exception is the Blood Parrot, but it can still pack an attitude if it wants to!

• 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.
• Blood Parrot Cichlid - exact crosses unknown, often are not fertile, but fertile BP's are becoming more common.
  • King Kong Parrot Cichlid - obvious Midas Cichlid cross
  • Jelly Bean Parrot Cichlid - often dyed
  • Love Heart Parrot Cichlid - with cruelly amputated tail
  • Bubblegum Parrot Cichlid - obvious Convict Cichlid cross
• Red Texas - Red Devil x Texas Cichlid
• Texas Jaguar - Texas Cichlid x Jaguar Cichlid
• Convict Cichlid x Severum
• Convict Cichlid x Firemouth
• Green Terror x Blue Acara
• Wolf Cichlid x Red Terror
• Wolf Cichlid x Red Devil

[edit] African Cichlids

You need to be really careful when buying African Cichlids, specifically Mbunas, from pet stores as many on the market are hybrids, if you want genuine purebreds 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] Catfish

Catfish hybrids are far less common than Cichlid or Livebearer but not unheard of. Common Catfish such as Plecos and Corydoras are very unlikely to hybridise however. Here are some of the known hybrids:

• Red Tailed Catfish x Tiger Shovelnose Catfish - will grow larger than both parents so expect a fish around 4ft long! Not for beginners or those without large indoor tropical ponds over 1000 US Gallons (3785.4L).
• Red Tailed Catfish x Perruno Catfish - another potential monster. For tropical ponds only.
• Red Tailed Catfish x Marble Catfish - again, see above!

[edit] External links

• Aqua Articles - "Hybrids" by Kevin Thurston, From CAS Newsletter and Aquarist, Colorado Aquarium Society, March 2005
• Monster Fishkeepers - Hybrid Forums