The Ethics of Culling

Stargazer53

Stargazer53

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Oct 4, 2006
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This is probably a process or transitionary period that all serious breeders go through but myself being just a devoted hobbyist, I find this subject matter to be quite the dilemma. Recently, about three weeks prior, I discovered a rather semi mature female guppy from a birthing/drop that took place mid-2009 with a crooked/humped back; assumingly, I'm guessing a birth defect. I've been debating for about a week now whether or not I should terminate the life of this fish (I've been told 'serious breeders' cull 3-4 times for individual batches of fish) and my conscience will simply not allow me to do so.

The female fish in question is healthy and eating well and goes about her business just like any other fish. I do get a little upset when I see her (she looks like a fish version of Quasimoto from the Hunchback of Notre Dame) but I'm mostly upset at myself for not noticing her birth affect sooner, as in when she was just a wee baby.

My question is, how many people here "cull" their fish? And is there a 'cut-off' age in which you have set forth? I think I feel even more terrible about this because the poor fish has already reached adulthood and has enjoyed the glitz and glams of adult life as a female and feel that I have no right to take that away from her (I know this sounds a bit dramatic but I've lived my life with the 'live and let live' mentality).

At the moment, I'm thinking I will probably place her in my outdoor pond in the spring when the weather is nice and leave her in the hands of Mother Nature and the backyard wilderness and if she survives till fall, she was meant to live and will be brought back in with the general population.

Am I being too sensitive? And for inquiring minds, no, I do not keep any aggressive and/or carnivorous fish at the moment that could have her for a meal.


Live and Let Live or Man vs. Nature?
 
Dont kill her, if she acts normal, leads normal life, let her be.. it doesnt seem to bother her to be hunched backed so why does it bother you?

Just my opinion. In the end she is your fish under your care so, do what you feel necessary.
 
If it is a a birth defect it is a greater damage to allow her to reproduce with the possibility of passing on a defect that could kill off the species or render them endangered. Altruism can go only so far and then you have to ask some hard questions.

If you cannot cull or euthanize bad stock, you need a hobby of non-living things. It doesn't make those that do, cruel or cold-hearted. It just means it is something that must be done.

If you lived on a farm, you would find yourself euthanizing animals to protect the livestock. It is unfortunate but . . .
 
I would not distribute the fry from the tank she is in as that will be likely passing on genetic defects. Do you have a non-guppy tank she could live in?
 
I would cull a fish if I thought that doing so would improve my breeding stock. Of course, I've been raising dairy goats since 1983 and there's no way I can keep every kid born on my land.
 
Pearl said:
... I've been raising dairy goats since 1983 and there's no way I can keep every kid born on my land.
Click to expand...

what or how do you cull the kids? I am not judgmental or anything, just never thought about this as I have never lived on a farm. Just curious is all.

Oh yeah to the OP--I think I would euthanize the fish.
 
Thank you all immensely for your input, feedback, and comments. I appreciate it ever so much.

To answer some questions that were brought up, the reason why it bothers me is 1. aesthetically, the female guppy with this genetic defect is not very pleasing to the eyes. 2. As pointed out by a couple of kind responders, I have concerns about this female (who is of breeding age), passing on the less-than-fortunate genetics to her future young. At the moment, this particular female is in one of several guppy set-ups I have, co-existing with other siblings, many adult females, and just as many hot-blooded rambunctious males that breed like torpedos.

As I noted in my original thread, I am definitely no breeder. I just wanted to look at this issue/dilemma from the long-term window. I do want to clarify though, I do not think those who cull are coldhearted, mean, or evil - absolutely not - no, no, no. I understand that such is the art and circle of life that is so necessary for the better quality and preservation of fish within the hobby. I, just have not been able to overcome my weak heart from taking that step as of yet.

Thank you all for sharing your experiences, knowledge-wisdom, and perspectives. Although I do not have a non-guppy tank for this female, perhaps it will be something I will have to look into if euthanization is not the decision that is bestowed upon me. :)

Soobie -- I did look into TB and unfortunately, TB is not the culprit in this case. No lesions and other symptoms of TB. I really pamper my fishes - no sick fishes. :(
 
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If the curved spine recently appeared, have you considered TB? Any other fish in the tank with lesions, etc?
 
A few years ago I had a female with a humped back. I had scooped her up into the net and was about to euthanize her when in strolled my little girl who asked where was I taking her fish.....:cool:. We had that bent fish for a good long time. I placed her into a tank with no other guppies but as luck would have it one time I moved her into a tank with one other teeny tiny guppy that hid really well and soon we had lots of little guppies--with no bent backs.
 
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