International Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Research

Authors
Naik KS

Abstract
Hybrids in aquarium fish are usually recognized by their shape (developed fin and body shapes) and development of colour variants. Goldfish, koi, guppy, mollies and platy families have been selectively used to develop beautiful forms of hybrids by fish breeders. Inheritance of background body colour in molly, Poecilia is not well documented despite being an economically important aquarium fish. The present study was carried out by using three species of mollies, Poecilia latipinna, P. velifera and P. sphenops. A total of seven breeding crosses which consisted of four parental species cross and three hybrid crosses were successfully initiated. In molly hybrids, Poecilia, females were more colourful than males. Males had short dorsal sailfin with emarginated caudal fin (F₁ and F₂). Among the species crosses, P. latipinna (broad sailfin black male molly) and P. sphenops (short finned white female molly) crossing developed colourful hybrids with good phenotypic traits. Thus by use of selective species, having specific features following hybridization, hybrid varieties can be of much significant value for general suitability in commercial aquarium fish trade practices.