Male guppy Source: Image on Wikimedia Commons License: CC Attr. SA 3.0 Author: Bastet78
Diseases in guppies are often explained in forums etc. by the fact that guppies are now so overbred that they are particularly susceptible to diseases.
If you take a closer look at the respective diseases, they are often diseases that can be traced back to so-called weak parasites, e.g. B. fin rot and ichthyo. The affected fish are practically always new and are kept in aquariums that are not properly established or overstocked. This is often accompanied by a one-sided diet with dry food.
Widespread mass breeding has a certain influence on susceptibility to disease. But mass breeding is different from overbreeding or overbreeding. Virtually all aquarium fish are bred in mass breeding. Guppies are no different from other species in this regard. In mass breeding, antibiotics are sometimes used or a lot of salt is used for alleged prevention. As a result, the fish may become susceptible and cannot fight pathogens in the home aquarium with a functioning immune system.
Glory Guppy can be susceptible.
6 different guppy breeding lines. Source: Image on Wikimedia Commons License: Public domain Author: Melanochromis
Glossy guppies are extremely highly bred guppies that have a strong tendency to inbreed if they are only reproduced within their respective tribe. Glossy guppies often have very large caudal fins, which really hinder them. These guppies can be very susceptible to disease and often have a short lifespan. The name jellyfish is a trader’s designation and not an «official» name.
If guppies of different strains are propagated among themselves, the characteristics of high breeding recede. If the group is large enough, the guppies will look more like the wild forms again, although they are still genetically different from the wild forms.
Depending on your taste, the guppies may not look as spectacular, but they are robust and not as vulnerable.
Most guppies are not jewel guppies.
Glossy guppies are currently rarely found on the market. Most aquarium stores sell guppies that are similar to the wild forms.
Diseases are usually not due to overbred guppies. Unfavorable housing conditions or certain stress factors are practically always the cause. At best, the usual disadvantages of mass breeding can occur.
Before one considers possible cases of illness as apparently unavoidable due to overbreeding, the husbandry conditions must therefore always first be critically examined and, if necessary, improved.
breeding guppies: