30 replies to this topic

[Sean Phillips]

It's in an LFS feeder tank with some ghost shrimp, very active. Whatever it is I know three things: it's a livebearer, it's full of fry, and it's a female. I think I'll probably get it whether it's a gambusia or a guppy. If it's a guppy I'll add it with my tequila sunrises because it's the biggest female guppy I've seen in person (almost 1.75") and if it's a gambusia I'll breed the fry it gives birth to as feeders. Any thoughts?

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[Josh Blaylock]

I'm not familiar with ID'ing a guppy, but I'd vote gambusia

[fundulus]

Just by size it has to be Gambusia, but that fish also has a more pointed snout than is typical of guppies. I would expect some black speckling but that could be lighting.

[Sean Phillips]

Awesome. I'll get some better pictures later when I go back, hopefully to get it if I can get a positive id by then. didn't see any black specs on it though.

This is a picture of a female guppy for reference. I was thinking it could be one because I've never seen a gambusia that plump even when pregnant.

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Edited by Sean Phillips, 20 November 2014 - 10:23 AM.

[Josh Blaylock]

I've seen them that plump and bigger.

[gerald]

I'd guess guppy based on lack of dot pattern in tail and lack of black mark below eye. Fin ray counts are different too but the photo is too blurry to count rays.

[Sean Phillips]

I'd guess guppy based on lack of dot pattern in tail and lack of black mark below eye. Fin ray counts are different too but the photo is too blurry to count rays.

How many days to guppy and gambusia each have? If it still won't hold still later for pictures then I'll count myself.

[al10]

Its a mosquitofish, when stressed they loose their color and look like that

[Sean Phillips]

I'm back at the shop and will probably be here for a while talking to my friend who is the owner in case I can get a unanimous ID in a few hours so I can buy it. Some more pictures. Looks like 6 (possibly 7) dorsal rays and 8 anal rays, they're all branched as they go farther out though. Getting an accurate measurement now it's roughly 1.5" not 1.75".

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[Sean Phillips]

Some more.

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[Moontanman]

I would say gambusia, doesn't even look close to a guppy...

[gerald]

Sorry I was wrong about the fin ray difference. Eastern Gambusia have 6 or 7 dorsal rays, and most guppies have 6 to 8 dorsal rays. The Peterson Field Guide says "12 or more dorsal rays" for guppy but that's apparently an error. al10 - i agree mosquitofish can fade out and lose their dark markings, but what characteristics are telling you it's a mosquitofish and not a guppy?

[Sean Phillips]

And yet another,

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[Sean Phillips]

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[al10]

It sa gambusia/mosquitofish, they are pale while stressed.

[gerald]

Guppies get pale when stressed too -- most fish do. Put her in a tank with a dark-colored bottom and dark background on three sides. If spots in tail and dark streak under eye do not reappear within a couple days, that's pretty good evidence for a guppy. Al10 and Moontan, I wish you guys would please specify what characteristics you see that rule out the possibility of this being a guppy. ID "help" is most helpful when it includes descriptive differences.

[al10]

Well one, gupies don't have a as prominite black spot, and female guppies don't get as pale as mosquitofish, and I have kept mosquitofiah and have bred them, guppies, and muppy hybrids(guppy/mosquitofish hybrids) and it definitly is at least a hybrid of the two.

[gerald]

OK thanks ... now I understand.

[John4ds]

Mosquito fish, it's mouth is pointed up

[al10]

Good point above.