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Most guppy breeders today don't use virgin females anymore. However, not many articles appear about the use of the pre bred female. This information will be helpful to those who are looking to learn how to properly use the pre-bred female.
I usually select the females at an age of 2 1/2 months. At this age, you can get a pretty good look at body shape, as well as fin size and coloration. You will then need to wait for 3 months after setting them up to be sure that they have been hit by the males you have carefully selected for them. After this period, you will have 5 1/2 month old females that are ready to start giving you large drops of the fry you want.
With careful selection of your breeders, you can improve your line with each new generation. Here are some things to look for when picking your females. Don't use females with a pointed nose, or a sloping forehead. Look for a nice, uniform body shape. Some females have brighter colors, or a better pattern in the caudal. These types of traits are passed on to the fry. Also, pay attention to the overall body color of the female. If you are breeding half-blacks, you will want to select the female with the darkest body color, along with the best body shape and fin coloration. This will help you produce superior fry. Of course, selection of the males is just as important, but that's another article. The importance of the females selection is often overlooked by all of the emphasis placed on the male guppy, but proper selection of the female is important as well.
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