I am a student looking in on starting a research topic regarding mosquitofish. I'm looking to see whether Haldane's rule, a principle of genetics regarding hybrid sterility, is valid in the Poeciliidae family. Mosquitofish, which are often introduced as a biological control on mosquito populations, often outcompete native fish in areas where they are introduced. Sterility, then, would place a control on the population, making mosquitofish a better candidate for mosquito control.

If anyone has any information regarding mosquitofish hybridization, could you please let me know? Thank you in advance!

I am a student looking in on starting a research topic regarding mosquitofish. I'm looking to see whether Haldane's rule, a principle of genetics regarding hybrid sterility, is valid in the Poeciliidae family. Mosquitofish, which are often introduced as a biological control on mosquito populations, often outcompete native fish in areas where they are introduced. Sterility, then, would place a control on the population, making mosquitofish a better candidate for mosquito control.

If anyone has any information regarding mosquitofish hybridization, could you please let me know? Thank you in advance!

I would guess Haldan'e rule isn't universal among Poeciliids. Many commercial tropical fishes like swordtails and platies are multiple hybrids, and I've never heard of a significant shortage of males, the heterogametic sex. As to Gambusia... I've never heard one way or another. I always assumed that different Gambusia species are interfertile (especially affinis and holbrooki, but that's purely anecdotal.

Is it possible to hybridize interfamily within Poeciliidae? They all seem to have similar sexual apparatus (i.e. gonopodium). After searching around on the Internet, I've found plenty of anecdotal reports regarding hybridization in Poeciliidae.

Is it possible to hybridize interfamily within Poeciliidae? They all seem to have similar sexual apparatus (i.e. gonopodium). After searching around on the Internet, I've found plenty of anecdotal reports regarding hybridization in Poeciliidae.

I think you can safely assume that any Xiphophorus species are mutually interfertile, and any of the "molly" species. Like I said before, if you go into a typical pet shop and look at the livebearing fish for sale you're pretty much looking at hybrids. It doesn't matter that these fishs' descendants typically have hybrid breakdown within several generations, since new forms are constantly being bred or at least outbred by the commercial breeders. There was some work done on this topic back in the 1950's by George(?) Myers of the AMNH in NYC, and I'm sure some since. I would also assume that plenty of work remains to be done......

I've heard that Poeciliidae can interbreed within the genus (i.e. platy/swordtail), and remain fertile. However, I've seen reports on the Internet (which I take with a pinch of salt, of course) that say that guppies and platies can interbreed, even though they aren't in the same genus. I would doubt that their offspring would be fertile. Would it be possible to carry such out out-of-genus hybridization with Gambusia?

I've heard that Poeciliidae can interbreed within the genus (i.e. platy/swordtail), and remain fertile. However, I've seen reports on the Internet (which I take with a pinch of salt, of course) that say that guppies and platies can interbreed, even though they aren't in the same genus. I would doubt that their offspring would be fertile. Would it be possible to carry such out out-of-genus hybridization with Gambusia?

It could be possible with a fish not to distantly un-related( I.E. Brachyrhaphis, Belonesox) and then only under artificial conditions. They are not going to naturally hybridize.

I would have to question why anyone would want to hybridize a Gambusia with a Belonesox though...I do not think that will be a better Mosquito control animal.