EFFECT OF PARENTAL SEX AND BREED ON THE PHENOTYPICAL (COLOURATION) IN PROGENY OF Poecilia reticulata (GUPPY) FOR ORNAMENTAL PURPOSE

Abstract

The effect of parental sex and sex combination ratio on breeding and progeny colourations of Poecilia reticulata (Guppy) was studied. Two breeds of P. reticulata i.e exotic and wild were crossed in 60cm x 30cm x 30cm aquaria as indicated: male:female - exotic x exotic, exotic x wild, wild x exotic and wild x wild. The progeny of each cross was observed for various colours in form of patches, pattern and spots. There were significant differences in the number of colours observed in the male and female progeny of the crosses. It was observed that the female progeny of the male wild x female exotic produced the highest (P<0.05) colourations while male progenies of exotic x exotic crosses produced the highest number of colours among the males and females offspring respectively. It was also found that the females were not having brilliant distinct colours experiential in male..Also, 1 : 3 and wild (male) x exotic (female) produced the highest (P>0.05) 0number of progeny. It was therefore concluded that the breed of the male parent influenced phenotypic expression in the progeny while sex combination ratio and breed of the parents did not influence the number of progeny.