Hybrids?

Y

yonsu

AC Members
Jun 5, 2006
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Quick question. I know the various varieties of goldfish are not separate species, but is it possible to breed hybrid varieties? The reason I ask is because I noticed an odd looking black moor at a store recently. It has the body of a lionhead (short fins and all), but the telescope eyes and black coloration. Could he be a telescope/lionhead mix?

Thanks~!
 
I figured as much. I just didn't know whether it'd be plausible to just assume that this guy is a lionhead/telescope mix. Thanks.
 
Apparently you misunderstand the term species. A species is a group of organisms that will produce fertile offspring. So basically all the different types of goldfish can breed.

Different names that the types of goldfish have is in reference to a core set of traits. Just like a poodle and a basset hound are the same species and can easily breed.

Personally I would like to have one of these in my tank.

carp_id_fig_14.jpg


The wildtype....
 
I understand the term "species." I assumed that they could interbreed, but I guess I was looking more to determine if crossbreeding them will produce offspring with visible traits from both varieties (like the little guy I am referring to). I suppose I could have been clearer; I was trying to discern whether it is more likely that this guy in the store is a crossbred or just a deformed black moor.
 
There is a lot of variation within each breed. And since they are all the same species the traits of one can come out in others. Many of the breeds were developed by mixing certain individuals from different breeds (just like dogs).

In reference to true hybridization, yes, goldfish can hybridize with some other species. I have seen koi x goldfish hybrids.

And the definition of a species is not really agreed upon, there are too many exceptions to all the possible definitions, it is not as simple as almost any science class makes it seem.
 
Yes, but no one is claiming that different goldfish varieties constitute different species. By the way, "hybrid" is usually reserved for crosses between two different species, while interspecific crosses are just called "crosses", "crossbreeds", or "intergrades" (the last for natural crosses between geographic subspecies).
 
Actually hybrid and crosses are interchangeable and can mean a variety of things. It's not really set in stone. Normally you use interspecific or intraspecific if you want to be clear about it. Hybrid vegetable seed is a cross between two inbred lines of the same species. Trust me on this one guys... it's kind of what I do everyday. I've got an ongoing little project of crossing Cucumis melo with Cucumis metuliferus.

The ultimate line between species is usually blurred. In dogs a great dane and a mini - yorky are the same species but can they physically produce offspring (no). Genetically they are compatable but physically they are not. The definition of a species doesn't change but determining where to draw the line is almost impossible sometimes. Generally though, if you leave two individules alone together (with a little Barry White) and they make babies who then in turn can make babies... they are one species.
 
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