Hybrid pleco? Is this possible?

[wataugachicken]

well, first we have to actually get common plecos to breed dependably in captivity, maybe then we can start screwing around with their genetic makeup.

that's a pretty sickening thought. what is the point? hybridizing for personal desire only serves to destroy what is good and natural about the fish we keep. granted, i don't know anything about cichlids and i'm not a big fan, but i f someone came out with "designer" pleco, i would be pissed. i guess i don't know how to explain it properly. . . .there's just something wrong .

It''s just like with dogs. of course, i know that the domestic dog is not a natural creation, but people have worked for years to create and perfect the different breeds, Now other people come along with their "designer breeds", labradoodles, goldiepoos, peekapoos, pugapoos, yorkiedoodles. .etc etc etc. these aren't breeds. are they cute? yes. will they be wonderful little doggies? most likely. however, they're just glorified mutts. you could probably get the same thing at the shelter, a "mistake" without the fancy label and hefty price tag. not to say there is anything wrong with mixed-breed dogs, but imo hybrid fish which are completely man-made should not be highly valued in the aquarium industry.

 

[fishorama]

The hypancistrus hybrids I've read about are the results of keeping different species together & breeding was accidental not like flowerhorns etc. Often intergenera hybrids are sterile like mules but the more closely the 2 species are related, the more likely the are to be fertile. Part of the defination of species is for male & female to produce viable, fertile offspring (both M&F) that can reproduce. By keeping animals outside the naturally occurring boundaries (lakes, continents etc) we allow for many more possibilities. I also worry about corydoras being indiscrimately bred, losing rare species & creating genetic mutts however cute.

 

[monkey_toes]

Often intergenera hybrids are sterile like mules but the more closely the 2 species are related, the more likely the are to be fertile. Part of the defination of species is for male & female to produce viable, fertile offspring (both M&F) that can reproduce.

Outdated information. Interspecific Pantherophis (rat snake/corn snake) hybrids are almost always fertile, and intergeneric crosses between corns snakes and king snakes (Pantherophis guttatatus X Lampropeltis getulus ssp), aka jungle corns, are also usually fertile.