GUPPY (Poecilia spp.

) REPRODUCTION AS AFFECTED BY SEX RATIO

CASE STUDY

ABIGAIL T. AGUSTIN
JEORJIE P. BAKICHAN
JENICA B. CABRERA
JEAN MARY R. CARILLO
REAH JOY C. DOMINGO
MARION DIVINE R. GIMMANGAL
DEVERSON RUZEL R. LICAYCAY
JADIEL R. MAURICIO
DJ N. SACULLES
GENALYN O. SEMANDO
JACKIE S. TIAM
ZACHARY B. TARUN
BSFAS- 2 Students

GLOVER JEAN R. VILLANUEVA

Instructor 1

In partial fulfillment of the requirement in the course

BACHELOR OF SCIENCE IN FISHERIES AND AQUATIC SCIENCES:
FISH 222: Fish Genetics and Breeding

Institute of Fisheries
ISABELA STATE UNIVERSITY
Echague, Isabela

JUNE 2023

i
 ACCEPTANCE SHEET

This study entitled “GUPPY (Poecilia spp.) REPRODUCTION AS

AFFECTED BY SEX RATIO ” prepared and submitted by Abigail T. Agustin,

Jeorjie P. Bakichan, Jenica B. Cabrera, Jean Mary R. Carillo, Reah Joy C.

Domingo, Marion Divine R. Gimmangal, Deverson Ruzel R. Licaycay, Jadiel R.

Mauricio, Dj N. Saculles, Genalyn O. Semando, Jackie S. Tiam, and Zachary B.

Tarun (2nd Year Students). In partial fulfillment of the requirement in the degree

Bachelor of Science in Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences: FISH 222: Fish Genetics and

Breeding.

GLOVER JEAN R.VILLANUEVA

Subject Instructor

Date Signed

Panelist

RAYMOND M. PASCUA GLOVER JEAN R.VILLANUEVA

Member Member

Date Signed Date Signed

ii
 ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

The authors would like to express their sincerest gratitude to the following

who generously gave their help in making this case study possible:

To our beloved parents who gave financial support, trust, everlasting love and

care at all time.

To Ms. Glover Jean Villanueva for being a patient instructor, for all the

guidance, constructive comments, challenges given, and willingness to support her

students at all time.

To Mr. Elievhier R. Pascua for being a supportive senior, for the guidance,

constructive criticisms and pieces of advice, specially when he also encountered

challenges even before his thesis done.

To all Non-Teaching Staff who contributed time and efforts, who provided

other materials needed for this case study.

Especially to Our Almighty God, who gave blessings and graces to provide in

our desperate needs and assistance to the knowledge and wisdom to make this things

all happen.

And to all others who may have not been mentioned but contributed to make

this Case Study success.

RESEARCHERS

iii
 TABLE OF CONTENTS

TITLE PAGE i

ACCEPTANCE SHEET ii

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT iii

TABLE OF CONTENTS iv

ABSTRACT vi

LIST OF FIGURES vii

LIST OF TABLES viii

LIST OF APPENDIX FIGURES ix

CHAPTER I: INTRODUCTION 1

A. Background of the Study 1

B. Statement of the Problem 2

C. Objectives of the Study 3

D. Significance of the Study 3

E. Scope and Limitation of the Study 3

F. Place and Duration of the Study 3

CHAPTER II: REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE 4

A. Biology of Guppy 4

B. Production of Live-bearing Aquatic Species 9

C. Relationship of Sex Ratio to Progenies 11

CHAPTER III: MATERIALS AND METHODS 12

A. Experimental Fish 12

B. Experimental Treatments and Design 12

C. Experimental Procedure 13

c.1. Preparation of Breeding Paraphernalias 13

iv
 c.2. Conditioning of Breeders 14

c.3. Stocking of Breeders 15

c.4. Feeding 15

c.5. Water Quality Management 17

D. Data Gathering 19

E. Analysis of Data 19

CHAPTER IV: RESULT AND DISCUSSION 20

CHAPTER V: SUMMARY, CONCLUSION, RECOMMENDATION 23

SUMMARY 23

CONCLUSION 24

RECOMMENDATION 24

REFERENCES 26

v
 GUPPY (Poecilia spp.) REPRODUCTION AS AFFECTED BY SEX RATIO

ABSTRACT

The present study was conducted using an entirely random design. There was
a total of nine (9) containers used in the experiment. They were set up in the Isabela
State University of Echague (ISU-E) Freshwater Fisheries Center (FFC) wet
laboratory.Three distinct sex ratios of guppy were used in the study as three
treatments: Treatment 1 (1:4), Treatment 2 (1:5), and Treatment 3 (1:6).Nine (9) male
guppies and thirty-six (36) female guppies were used as experimental subjects. Three
replicate of each treatment were made. To calculate the overall quantity of progenies,
progenies were counted every afternoon. After 1 month of breeding Treatment 1 and
Treatment 2 exhibited high survival rate which was greater than 90% while
Treatment 3 observed that less than 85% of its survival rate. It was assessed that
treatment 2 (1:4) has the highest survival rate and total numbers of progenies.
This study benefits the ornamental fish farmers and future researchers who
were to conduct study regarding culture and breeding of Poecilia spp.

Keywords: breeding, sex ratio, reproduction, progenies, ornamental fish,

vi
 LIST OF FIGURES

Figure No. Title Page

1 Guppy 4

2 Guppies Physical Distinction 5

3 Guppies Sex Distinction 9

4 Guppies breeder bought in Ramon, Isabela 12

5 Experimental lay-out used in the study 13

6 Stocking of Water 14

7 Acclimation of Guppies 14

8 Conditioning of Breeders 15

9 Stocking of Breeder 15

10 Getting the Average Body Weight of the Fish 16

11 Commercial Feeds 16

12 Weighing of Feeds (Daily feed ratio) 17

13 Measuring the Level of Ammonia 17

14 Water Changing 18

15 a.) Water Conditioner; b.) Salt (NaCl) 18

vii
 LIST OF TABLES

Table No. Title Page

1 Different sex ratios used in the study. 13

2 Number of progenies reproduce from different sex ratios of 20

guppy within one month.

3 Mortality of different sex ratios within one month. 21

viii
 LIST OF APPENDIX FIGURES

Appendix Title Page

Figure No.
1 Stocking Water in Tanks 30

2 Arrival of Breeders from Ramon, Isabela 30

3 Stocking of Fish in the Tanks 30

4 Stocking of Water in the Tub 31

5 Setting of Containers and Aerators 31

6 Feeding 31

7 Measuring Ammonia Level 32

8 Monitoring Mortality 32

9 Fry Collection 32

ix
 CHAPTER I

INTRODUCTION

A. Background of the Study

Ornamental fish are prized for their aesthetic appeal and are bred or raised

specifically for their attractive features. The practice of breeding ornamental fish

originated in China over a millennium ago with the domestication of goldfish.

Nowadays, numerous fish species, such as the renowned koi carp, are highly valued

for their unique markings (Sneddon et al., 2016). Females in some livebearing species

sometimes miscarry and give birth to embryos too soon (Francis-Floyd and Petty,

2023). A male livebearer can be hostile towards other fish of the same species,

therefore maintaining at least three females with one male is a smart idea. When there

are several females, the amount of harassment will be spread out over several

individuals and each female will be less stressed (Francis-Floyd and Petty, 2023).

The guppy fish, scientifically known as Poecilia reticulata (Sasanami et al.,

2021). Guppy fish (Poecilia reticulata) is highly sought after in the ornamental fish

market due to its appealing shape and vibrant color. Male guppy exhibit more visually

striking morphological characteristics compared to females (Yusni and Hasibuan,

2023). It possesses a remarkable ability to adapt to various environments and

demonstrates high tolerance levels. Guppies are known to consume diverse food

sources, including mosquito larvae. As a result, they have frequently been introduced

to non-native ecosystems as a means of controlling mosquito populations, leading to

their widespread distribution across the globe. The demand for mosquito-borne

disease control suggests that guppy releases will likely continue. However, concerns

have arisen regarding potential negative effects on other species, biodiversity, and

1
specific ecosystem functions. One notable concern is the risk of local species

extinction, which in turn, would lead to a reduction in overall biodiversity (Sasanami

et al., 2021).

In culturing ornamental fishes, diseases would be the hindrance of ornamental

farmers in production; fish that flash (scrape their bodies againsts objects) are

reacting to skin irritation which can occur with parasitic infestations (Wildgoose,

2001; Loh and Landos, 2011). One common issue faced by ornamental farmers is

stress in fish because of Overcrowding: Insufficient space can lead to stress, as

guppies need ample room to swim and explore. Aggressive tank mates: Some fish

species can be aggressive toward guppies, leading to stress and even injury, thus

proper selecting of compatible tank mates should be done (Fabian, 2023). Providing

adequate water conditions, feeding regularly, creating hiding spots and avoiding

overcrowding will help to lessen possible stress (Hemant, 2022). At the same time,

introducing preferable sex ratio for breeding in the production of fish can decrease the

population in tank and address the stress that may harm and cause diseases in

culturing ornamental fish.

B. Statement of the Problem

The problem at hand is to understand how the sex ratio affects the

reproduction of Guppies. The sex ratio, which refers to the proportion of males to

females in a population, is an essential factor that can significantly influence guppy

reproduction dynamics. By investigating these aspects, we can gain insights into the

complex interplay between the sex ratio and guppy reproduction. This understanding

will contribute to our knowledge of population dynamics, sexual selection, and the

conservation of guppy populations in their natural habitats.

2
C. Objectives of the Study

This study generally aims to determine the ideal sex ratio of Guppy (Poecilia

spp.) for reproduction.

Specifically, the study aims to:

1. To determine the sex ratio with the highest numbers of progenies;

2. To compare and analyze the reproductive success of male and female

Guppies under different sex ratios; and

3. To determine the percentage survival of Poecilia spp. after 1 month.

D. Significance of the Study

This study provides the information regarding the breeding nature of the

Guppy (Poecilia spp.) and how different ratios of male and females affects the

production of offspring within a certain period of time. This study evaluates the

efficiency of the guppy sex ratio in producing offspring. This also improves the

ornamental fish industry to foster a new way of enhancing production of guppy,

especially higher class strains while considering sex ratio.

E. Scope and Limitation of the Study

The study was limited in determining the sex ratio that produced the most

offspring after one month of breeding guppies in containers.

F. Place and Duration of the Study

This study was conducted at the Institute of Fisheries, Isabela State University,

Echague, Isabela in March to June, 2023.

3
 CHAPTER II

REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE

A. Biology of Guppy

Scientific Classification of Guppy, Poecilia spp.

Kingdom: Animalia

Phylum: Chordata

Class: Actinopterygii

Order: Cyprinodontiformes

Family: Poeciliidae

Genus: Poecilia

Species: Poecilia spp.

English Name: Guppy

Figure 1: Guppy
Photo Source:
https://rb.gy/07jfy

Physical characteristics

Guppy fish are small fish that are typically seen in shops. They are known to

be one of the colorful ornamental fish reared in aquariums. The colorful ones are

males, while the females are the ones that has less color or lacks of decorative fins.

4
Additionally their varied colors, shapes, sizes, and patterns are the effect of their

captivity resulting to a large degree of selective breeding (Laidlaw, 2020).

Figure 2: Guppies Physical Distinction

Photo Source:
https://shorturl.at/adV06

Size

Male guppies grow to about 4 centimeters (1 1/2 inches) long, while females

are larger and can measure between 3 and 5 centimeters (Guppy fish: Characteristics,

types, reproduction and more, 2020; Guppy | Poecilia reticulate, n.d.).

Color

Guppies can be yellow, red, blue, green, black, white, or orange, depending on

their species (Hall, 2023). They have been bred in captivity to have much brighter

colors, but in their natural state, they tend to have a more grayish color with some

spots of different colors on their body (Guppy fish: Characteristics, types,

reproduction and more, 2020).

5
Tail and dorsal fins

Guppies have been bred in a number of ornate strains characterized by shape

and size of the tail and dorsal fins (Guppy fish: Characteristics, types, reproduction

and more, 2020). There have unique colors and scale patterns throughout this group,

and they have a number of different tailfin shapes such as fan tail, flag tail, lyre tail,

sword tail, round tail, and veil tail (Hall, 2023).

Sexual dimorphism

Male guppies are much brighter colored than females and have longer caudal

and dorsal fins (Sanders, 2023).

Behavior of Guppy

Behavior is defined as the act of a living organism that is observable and

measurable. Guppies are small fish that are popular for scientific studies and home

aquariums (Laidlaw, 2020). Fish behavior, defined as the fish's external response to

changes in their environment, contains valuable information for aquaculturists under

cultural settings. The majority of physiological, environmental, and handling factors

cause variances in fish behavior. Evidence suggests that environmental stress can

influence behaviors that are critical for non-target creature survival (Yalsuyi et al.,

2021).

Mating behavior: Male guppies will bend their spine to the side and start flaring,

dancing, and jiggling around female guppies. This are the mating behavior of guppies,

and males will do this ritual all day long. After the mating ritual, the male guppy will

6
use its gonopodium to hand on a package of sperm to the female guppy (Fabian,

2021).

Swimming patterns: Guppies are active swimmers and often swim around the tank

with little pauses. They swim in all parts of the tank, but they prefer to spend most of

their time at the top, near the surface of the water. They also form loose shoals or

schools, offering them a sense of safety and community (Fabian, 2023).

Aggressiveness: Aggressiveness is an uncommon guppy trait, but guppies can assert

their dominance by bullying and fighting with other fish during feeding or if the tank

is too small. They also hide in caves and behind plants when they feel threatened

(Robert, 2022).

Breeding behavior: Female guppies can store sperm for months, so they can produce

multiple broods of fry even after one encounter, . Dark marks on a female guppy's

abdomen means they are pregnant. Check the females to see how many of the fish are

pregnant, then remove the male and any non-pregnant females and return them to the

tank (Robert, 2022; Fabian, 2023; Fabian, 2021).

Generally, guppies possess a broad spectrum of actions that make them a

pleasure to observe and aid us in comprehending their behavior and how they engage

with their habitat.

Habitat

Guppies typically live in streams and ponds with moderate water flow. As a

results, their habitats are usually teeming with life (Sheppard, 2021).

7
 Guppies are small, colorful fish that are commonly kept in home aquariums.

They are highly adaptable and can survive in a variety of freshwater habitats,

including streams, ponds, and small pools of water (Oldham, 2019; Mari, 2021; Hall,

2023). They are found in clear tropical waters of Caribbean islands like Trinidad and

Tobago, and on the South American continent in Venezuela, Guyana, and Brazil

(McKenzie, n.d.; 2022; Mari, 2021; Fabian, 2022). Guppies can also survive in

brackish ecosystems but they prefer habitats with thick vegetation, hence they can be

found in almost any type of freshwater habitat (Mari, 2021).

Tank water changes

Weekly water changes most sources recommend changing 30-40% of the

water in a guppy tank each week to maintain good water quality. This is equivalent to

changing the water every 5-7 days (Parker, 2022; Hemant, 2022).

Sex Reproduction

Sex reproduction is the process which enables the certain species to grow in

number. This can occur in asexual, but in the case of guppy they undergo sexual

reproduction which includes male and female to reproduce (shown in figure 3). Anal

fins in male guppy develop into the gonopodium, which is a sex organ. This unique

and specialized organ is used to transfer sperm from the male to the female through

her cloaca which is made up of the third, fourth, and fifth rays of the anal fin.On the

other hand female guppies have squared off and smaller in size (Hargrove, n.d.).

8
 female male

Figure 3: Guppies Sex Distinction

Photo Source:
https://youtu.be/zoZN84Dliqk

In captivity, male guppies can reproduce around 1 month of age, but they

reach true sexual maturity around the middle of their third month. Females, on the

other hand, don't reach sexual maturity until they are around 3 months old (Kelly,

n.d.).

During mating, the male does its mating ritual and approaches the female and

thrusts for 1-2 seconds using his gonopodium into her, ejecting his sperm (Fabian,

2021). Multiple mating can have benefits for guppies, as it can increase the genetic

diversity of offspring and reduce the risk of inbreeding (Evans and Magurran, 2000).

B. Production of Live-bearing Aquatic Species

Ornamental fish are cultured because of its characteristics had been reproduce

for economic gain. In order to produce such species the ornamental fish keepers

undergone fish farming. Guppy are livebearers it gives birth to fry, which are fully

developed and functional newborns. Within the female, the fertilized eggs begin to

hatch and the fry are more developed and large enough to survive on their own after

birth (Francis-Floyd and Petty, 2023).

Guppies use the polyandry mating system, in which females mate with various

males. Males benefit from many mating because the number of matings they have

9
directly affects how successfully they reproduce. When the time comes that the

female guppy will give birth it will “drop” 2-200 baby guppies, typically four to six

hours and can take up to 12 hours depending to the external related factors present in

the environment. In some cases birth happens with several days between births (Blake,

2023). On the other hand, pregnant guppy fish can hold sperm for upwards of three

months. However, well-primed fish will utilize it almost immediately for fertilization

(Sheppard, 2021).

Live-bearing aquatic species of fish are known for reproducing in the

community tank with little to no effort on the part of the aquarium hobbyist.

Livebearing fish such as guppies, swordtails, mollies, and endlers are easy to maintain,

breed, and are tolerant of a range of water conditions (Livebearers, n.d.). This are

aquarium fish that retain the eggs inside the body and give birth to live, free-

swimming young. Among aquarium fish, livebearers are nearly all members of the

family Poeciliidae and include guppies, mollies, platies, and swordtails. The

advantages of livebearing to the aquarist are that the newborn juvenile fish are larger

than newly-hatched fry, have a lower chance of mortality, and are easier to care for

(Boumis, 2020).

From March 2008 to May 2009, the breeding biology of the guppy fish.

Guppies displayed year-round breeding activity, except during the winter months of

December and January, with a peak period in July. They were found to be viviparous

and exhibited multiple breeding events during the breeding season, giving birth to fry

several times. The gestation period varied between 25 and 35 days, with an average of

28.1±2.12 days. Newborn fries were transparent or blackish in color, with slender

bodies and developed jaws, fully capable of swimming, feeding, and avoiding danger.

10
Guppies exhibited rapid growth, reaching sexual maturity at 8-10 weeks and attaining

full size within 6 months. (Shahjahan et al., 2014).

Other sources says on an average, the gestation period for guppies lasts for 21-

31 days, with the actual birth typically occurring between 22-28 days. However, it is

worth noting that if the water temperature is cold or if the presence of other fish in the

tank causes stress, the delivery process may be prolonged (Dueck, 2023).

Male to female ratio

The ideal male-to-female ratio for guppy reproduction is generally agreed to

be 1:3, meaning for every male guppy, there should be three female guppies (Wayne

and Wayne, 2022; Rohit, 2022; Tourino, 2023; Fabian, 2019). Adding too many

males to the tank can also lead to stress among the females, as they may be constantly

pursued by males. This can lead to a decrease in breeding and even health problems

(Fabian, 2021).

C. Relationship of Sex Ratio to Progenies

Sex ratio is define as the proportion of each present in a relationship that has

an impact on the evolutionary paths of wild populations (Sapir et al., 2008).

One study found that female guppies benefit from producing large male-

biased broods when the reproductive success of sons is expected to be high (Sato and

Karino, 2017). Another study found that female-biased sex ratios in guppies arise

predictably and are a consequence of higher male mortality and longer female life

spans, with little effect of offspring sex ratio (Arendt et al., 2014).

11
 CHAPTER III

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A. Experimental Fish

In the study, nine (9) male guppies and thirty-six (36) female guppies were

used as experimental subjects. The fish were acquired from a backyard breeder in

Ramon, Isabela with a distance of 37.7 km from Echague, Isabela in (Figure 4). Male

and female guppies were separated in tanks for conditioning and to avoid premature

mating. During the conditioning period, breeders were fed two times daily, morning

and afternoon, and good water quality was provided.

Figure 4: Guppies breeder bought in Ramon, Isabela

B. Experimental Treatment and Design

The study had three treatments involving different sex ratio of guppies

(Poecilia spp.) in the containers. Treatments used are presented in Table 1.

12
Table 1: Different sex ratios used in the study.

Treatment Sex Ratio (male:female)

1 1:3

2 1:4

3 1:5

Each treatment was replicated three times. The study was laid-out in simple

random sampling presented in Figure 5.

T3R2 T3R3
T3R1

T1R3
T2R3 T1R2 T2R2 T1R1 T2R1

Figure 5: Experimental lay-out used in the study.

C. Experimental Procedure

c.1 . Preparation of Breeding Paraphernalias

Water was stocked for three (3) days in a tub to ensure enough water is

available when water in the container for guppies has to be changed presented in

figure 6.

13
 Figure 6: Stocking of Water

Plastic cups was used for guppy acclimation. It was gradually acclimated for

15 - 30 minutes in stocked water to adapt to its new environment conditions. This was

to ensure a smooth transition for the guppies and reduce the possibility of negative

reaction. Shown in Figure 7.

Figure 7: Acclimation of Guppies

c.2 . Conditioning of Breeders

Conditioning of breeders for three (3) weeks in tanks upon arrival. To

determine if the breeders and stocks are enough in the treatment of one month

breeding (shown in figure 8).

14
 Figure 8: Conditioning of Breeders

c.3 . Stocking of Breeders

Stocking of breeders focuses on desirable ratio in a treatment. Treatment 1 has

the stocking density of 4 (1 male :3 female). Treatment 2 has the stocking density of

5 (1 male: 4 female) and treatment 3 has a stocking density of 6 breeders (1 male : 5

female). Shown in figure 9.

Figure 9: Stocking of Breeder

c.4 . Feeding

1 (%) percent of Daily Feed Rate was calculated using the Average Body

Weight (ABW ) of Guppy per treatment (figure 10). Feeding frequency was typically

0800-0900 h in the morning and 1600-1700 h in the afternoon. Commercial feeds

15
watchupong grow-out (figure 11) was weigh and fed for the Guppies with 1% Daily

Feed Ratio in all treatments (shown in figure 12). It was suggested by the supplier of

the breeders for it was specially made for small ornamental fish like Guppies, less

grease, non-polluted and high-protein fish feeds for maximum growth. However,

Guppies was not fed after water changed in the afternoon. Treatments were checked

daily for the presence of the progenies during feeding.

Figure 10: Getting the Average Body Weight of the Fish

Figure 11: Commercial Feeds

16
 Figure 12: Weighing of feeds (Daily feed ratio)

c.5 . Water Quality Management

The experiment was utilized a total of nine (9) containers. They were installed

in the Freshwater Fisheries Center (FFC) wet laboratory at Isabela State University of

Echague (ISU-E), and the units was filled with enough freshwater before the study

begins. The units received continuous aeration to ensure a sufficient supply of

dissolved oxygen in the system and lasted for one (1) month. Water changed was

done when the water in the containers was determined to have high level of ammonia

(shown in Figure 13) and after progenies are collected.

Figure 13: Measuring the Level of Ammonia

17
 Changing of water for each tub were done in the afternoon, 2 - 3 times a week.

Manual siphon pump was used for water change. High ammonia level is toxic to

guppies and this is used as an indication to change water. Shown in figure 14.

Figure 14: Water changing

Water conditioning was maintained during the one month of breeding. Aqua

care is a chemical used for cleaning and conditioning the water where the guppies are

going be to set up for breeding shown in figure 15(a). This chemical removes harmful

chlorine's and detoxifies the heavy metals in the water. Salt is used to control

protozoans in the gills and skin of the fish and prevent fungal infections in the fish

(Floyd, 1995). Shown in figure 15 (b).

a b
. ..
Figure 15: a.) Water Conditioner; b.) Salt (NaCl)

18
D. Data Gathering

Progenies were collected every 1700 hour in the afternoon and the total

number of progenies were determined and was used to assessed which sex ratio has

the highest production. And the mortalities were monitored and counted to obtained

the survival rate of guppies in each treatment. Survival rate was determined using the

formula Survival Rate = (Mean / Stocking Density) x 100.

E. Analysis of Data

Analysis of Data was calculated using statistics (Mean and Standard

Deviation) in Microsoft Excel for Microsoft 365 MSO (Version 2305 Build

16.0.16501.20074) to determined the total number of progenies produced by different

male and female guppy sex ratio within the treatments.

19
 CHAPTER IV

RESULT AND DISCUSSION

This chapter presents the results and discussion that the researchers gathered:

A. Numbers of progenies in relation to sex ratio.

The Guppy (Poecilia spp.) Reproduction as by Sex Ratio was determined with

the highest progenies shown in (Table 2).

Table 2: Number of progenies produce from different sex ratios of guppy within one

month.

Treatment No. of Progenies

1 3 ± 1.00

2 14 ± 9.29

3 14 ± 1.53

* Data are expressed as means ± standard deviation.

Treatment 2 (1:5) and Treatment 3 (1:6) resulted in the highest progenies

which was 43 total number of progeny while Treatment 1 ( 1:4 ) exhibited 9 total

number of progeny obtained in each replication of treatments.

The preferred adult sex ratio for guppy is 1 male: 3 females for reproduction

(Wayne and Wayne, 2022; Rohit, 2022; Tourino, 2023; Fabian, 2019). The said sex

ratio was used to reduce the aggression of males toward females that can lead to stress

and even health problems (Fabian, 2021). However, one study found that female

guppies benefit from producing large male-biased broods and the reproductive

success of sons is expected to be high (Sato and Karino, 2017).

In live bearers it is said that the higher the stocking density the higher the fry

production (Bearly, 2022). Nevertheless, according to a study, higher stocking is not

20
good for the growth and survival of fish (Tun et al., 2014). It can be deduce that

Treatment 2 has a high progeny because the stocking is not too overcrowded

compared to Treatment 3 which has a higher stocking density but has the same

number of progenies produced. From this it can be said that it is not neccesary to

have a high stocking density in maximazing the production of fry.

B. Survival of Poecilia spp. after 1 month in relation to sex ratio and stocking

density.

Table 3: Mortality from different sex ratios of guppy within one month.

Treatment Mortality Percentage Survival (%)

1 1 91.75%

2 1 93.4%

3 3 85%

After 1 month breeding of Poecilia spp. the calculated percentage survival

within the Treatment 2 exhibited highest survival rate which was 93.4% and had the

Stocking Density of 5, Treatment 1 was also observed with a high survival rate of

91.75% with 4 Stocking Density and Treatment 3 got less survival rate which is 85%

and a Stocking Density of 6. However, another study found that female-biased sex

ratios in guppies leads to higher male mortality and longer female life spans, with

little effect on the offspring sex ratio (Arendt et al., 2014).

Furthermore, 1st week of breeding, one of the replicates in T3 was observed to

have (2) female mortality and during the 28th day of breeding another (1) mortality

was recorded of the said treatment. Otherwise, T1 and T2 was also observed to have

(1) female mortality during the 2nd week of breeding.

21
 Since each treatment was provided continuous aeration, determine the total

level of ammonia, water were change and sufficient amount of food during the

breeding, the mortality of the treatments might be caused by changing the water

frequently because of the containers size, this cause the increased level of ammonia

and leading to stress and was determined their mortality. On the other hand, the

frequency of water change also depends on several factors. These include aquarium

size, stocking of fish, suspended waste and their feeding frequency. Weekly water

changes most sources recommend changing 30-40% of the water in a guppy tank each

week to maintain good water quality. This is equivalent to changing the water every

5-7 days (Parker, 2022; Hemant, 2022). However, large water changes that include

more than 60% water change, rinsing gravel, and cleaning filter media can lead to a

complete, massive change in the water chemistry. Fishes when put in these new

conditions, lead to temperature shock, stress, loss of appetite, and then death (Sardar,

2021; Sharpe, 2022).

Guppy (Poecilia spp.) Reproduction as Affected by Sex Ratio of 1:4

(Male:Female) Treatment 2 was assessed the highest produced progenies and

survival rate . Treatment 2 produced the highest number of progenies obviously

because of the not too abundant population of female in the container which affects

the survival rate of the species in the said treatment. Since the experimental animals

are contained in a relatively small container the courtship between male and female is

easier than those in large tanks.

22
 CHAPTER V

SUMMARY, CONCLUSION, RECOMMENDATION

SUMMARY

This study was conducted to find the sex ratio that produced the most highest

numbers of offspring. To compare and contrast the reproductive performance of male

and female guppies at various sex ratios. To calculate the proportion of Poecilia spp.

survival after one month. The efficiency of the guppy sex ratio in producing offspring

is also evaluated. Furthermore, improve the ornamental fish sector, which developed

a new method of increasing guppy production, particularly higher-class strains, while

taking sex ratio into account. Nine (9) male guppies and 36 female guppies were

employed as experimental subjects in the study. There are three treatments, each with

a distinct sex ratio of guppies in the containers. Water was stored in a tub for three

days to guarantee that adequate water was available when the water in the container

for guppies was replaced. When the breeders arrived, they were kept in tanks for three

weeks to condition them. To ascertain whether the breeders or stocks are adequate for

the treatment of one month of breeding. Progenies were collected every 1700 hour in

the afternoon and the total number of progenies were determined and was used to

assessed which sex ratio has the highest production. And the mortalities were

monitored and counted to obtained the survival rate of guppies in each treatment..

After one month of breeding with Poecilia spp. treatment number 2 has the highest

survival rate. Treatments 2 and 3 have the most progenies, with a total of 43

progenies. To the future researchers who will undertake this study, it is important to

observe necessary precautions to guarantee the success of their research. This

involves regularly monitoring the water quality and water supply and being alert for

any indications of sickness in the fish populace.

23
CONCLUSION

The guppy (Poecilia spp.) is a popular live bearing aquarium fish. It is

characterized for having a variety of colors which is a reason why it is mass produced.

In the conducted study the progenies influenced by sex ratio are assessed: results

showed that treatment 2 (1 male: 4 female) and treatment 3 (1 male: 5 female sex)

ratio got the highest progenies, reliable production and success and an optimal sex

ratio to maximize the reproduction output. In assessing the percentage of survival,

treatment 1 (1 male: 3 female) and treatment 2 (1 male: 4 female) got greater than

90% percentage survival while treatment 3 got a lesser percentage of survival. From

the view of the researcher, treatment 2 (1 male: 4 female) has the optimal sex ratio for

producing progeny while having a high survival rate compared to the two treatments.

The importance of sex ratio and stocking density in this study was to

determine whether these factors can really affect the production of offspring of

Poecilla spp. and thus increasing the number of females in the breeding population

was used by the researchers. This resulted to determine the effective sex ratio with

respect to stocking density which was based to the number of progenies collected.

RECOMMENDATIONS

The different sex ratio of Guppy (Poecilia spp.) for reproduction has been

assessed and still needs to put in an application in order to ensure and improve its

effectiveness. The following are recommended to:

To the ornamental Fish Farmers this study will introduce them to increase the

sex ratio of their breeders to have greater quantity of fry production.

To the future researchers who will undertake this study, it is important to

observe necessary precautions to guarantee the success of their research. This

24
involves regularly monitoring the water quality and being alert for any indications of

sickness in the fish populace. Proper site selection and water source supply for

culturing this species (Poecilia spp.) must completely assess. By implementing these

measures, researchers can obtain more extensive and precise data, which will allow

them to arrive at more significant conclusions based on their findings.

25
 REFERENCES

Arendt, J. D., Reznick, D. N., & López-Sepulcre, A. (2014). Replicated origin of

female- biased adult sex ratio in introduced populations of the
trinidadian guppy (Poecilia reticulata). Evolution; international
journal of organic evolution, 68(8), 2343–
2356.https://doi.org/10.1111/evo.12445

Bearly, I. (2022). Colony Breeding: The Easiest Way to Breed Livebearers for Profit.
Aquarium Co-Op. https://www.aquariumcoop.com/blogs/aquarium/breed-
livebearers-for-profit?fbclid=IwAR32wpDwDPnH5bqxZ0YKSLNUIHZh2Li
WkW0FsfQkEyFzpU7iKcP8OqNlyg#:~:text=The%20bare%20minimum%20
you%20should,or%2012%20adult%20fish%20instead

Blake, M. (2023). How Do Guppies Give Birth? These Livebearers Don’t Lay Eggs.
LoveToKnow. https://www.lovetoknowpets.com/aquariums/how-do-guppies-
givebirth?fbclid=IwAR0n3Na9eCqc0UdEk7O_c72XZV33vAXaOvY_DH6E1
BydL8 zRbD3HO4DXg6o

Boumis, R. (2020). Livebearer Vs. Egg Layers. Retrieved from Animals.mom.com:

https://animals.mom.com/livebearer-vs-egg-layers-4492.html

Care Guide for Guppies – The Most Popular and Colorful Livebearer. (n.d.).
Retrieved from https://www.aquariumcoop.com/blogs/aquarium/guppy-care-
guide?fbclid=IwAR1h0zbmqCRPOucvkTkeZOb-m-3MfiwpYlu0nEr8Wm_2
YW1cejQIkuFXPpQ#:~:text=What%20Do%20Guppies%20Need%20in,appr
opriate%20in%2 0the%20long%20run

Dueck, K. (2023). Guppy Gestation Period: How Long Are Guppies Pregnant? AZ
Animals. https://a-z-animals.com/blog/guppy-gestation-period-how-long-are-
guppies-pregnant/

Evans, J. P., & Magurran, A. E. (2000b). Multiple benefits of multiple mating in

guppies. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United
States of America, 97(18), 10074–10076.
https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.180207297

Fabian. (2021). Guppies Mating Behavior – Guppy Fish Breeding Ritual.

GuppyExpert.com. https://guppyexpert.com/guppies-mating-behavior/

Fabian. (2023). Stress in Guppies: Symptoms and Solutions - AquariumNexus.

Aquarium Nexus. https://www.aquariumnexus.com/guppy- fish-stress/

Fabian. (2023). Guppy Fish Behavior: Common Habits of Guppies - AquariumNexus.

AquariumNexus. https://www.aquariumnexus.com/guppy-fish-behavior/.

Fabian. (2022). Natural Selection in Guppies. GuppyExpert.com.

https://guppyexpert.com/natural-selection-guppies/

26
Fabian. (2019). Guppy Male to Female Ratio - What is The Best? - AquariumNexus.
AquariumNexus. https://www.aquariumnexus.com/guppy-male-female-ratio/

Fabian. (2021a). Why Do Guppies Chase Each Other? GuppyExpert.com.

https://guppyexpert.com/guppies-chase-each-other/

Francis-Floyd, R., & Petty, B. D. (2023). Breeding and Reproduction of Fish. MSD
Veterinary Manual. https://www.msdvetmanual.com/all-other-
pets/fish/breeding-and-reproduction-of-fish#:~:text=Live%20Bearers,-for%20
themselves%20after%20birth.

Guppy fish: Characteristics, types, reproduction and more.,.. (2020). Discovering

All Marine Species. https://ourmarinespecies.com/c-fishes/guppy-fish/

Guppy | Poecilia reticulata. (n.d.). TropicalFreshwaterFish.com.

https://tropicalfreshwaterfish.com/species/Poecilia_reticulata.html

Hall, H. (2023). Guppy. AZ Animals. https://a-z-animals.com/animals/guppy/

Hargrove, M. (n.d.). Central Garden & Pet Company. Retrieved from tfhmagazine:
https://www.tfhmagazine.com/articles/freshwater/back-to-the-basics-breeding-
guppies

Hargrove, M. (n.d.). Back to the basics: Breeding guppies. Tropical Fish Magazine.

Hemant. (2022). How Often To Change Guppy Water? Housedpet.

https://housedpet.com/how-often-to-change-guppy-water/

Hemant. (2022). What To Do If My Guppy Is Stressed? Housedpet.

https://housedpet.com/what-to-do-if-my-guppy-is-stressed/

Kelly, J. (n.d.). What Is the Reproductive Cycle of a Guppy? Retrieved from The
Nest:https://pets.thenest.com/reproductive-cycle-guppy-12875.html

Laidlaw, S. (2020). Guppy. Biology Dictionary. https://biologydictionary.net/guppy/

Loh, R., & Landos, M. (2011). Fish Vetting Essentials. ResearchGate.

https://www.researchgate.net/publication/264839619_Fish_Vetting_Essentials

Livebearers. (n.d.). Retrieved from Aquarium Info:

https://aquariuminfo.org/livebearers.html

Mari. (2021). Caresheet: Guppy Fish | Poecilia Reticulata - Aquariadise. Aquariadise.

https://www.aquariadise.com/caresheet-guppy/

McKenzie, E. (n.d.). Guppies & Their Habitat. Retrieved from The Nest:
https://pets.thenest.com/guppies-habitat-4188.html

27
Oldham, C. (2019). Guppy - Description, Habitat, Image, Diet, and Interesting Facts.
Animals Network. https://animals.net/guppy/

Parker, M. (2022). Changing Water for Your Guppies: How often? Guppy Fish Care.
https://guppy-fish.org/changing-water-for-your-guppies-how-often/

Robert. (2022). Guppy Fish Care Guide & Species Profile. Fishkeeping World.
https://www.fishkeepingworld.com/guppies/

Rohit. (2022). What Is The Best Guppy Male To Female Ratio? Don’t Make These
Mistakes. Urban Fishkeeping. https://urbanfishkeeping.com/what-is-the-best-
guppy-male-to-female-ratio/

R: Yalsuyi, A. M., Hajimoradloo, A., Ghorbani, R., Jafari, V., Prokić, M. D., &
Faggio, C. (2021). Behavior evaluation of rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus
mykiss) fol
lowing temperature and ammonia alterations. Environmental
Toxicology and Pharmacology, 86, 103648.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.etap.2021.103648

Sapir, Y., Mazer, S. J., & Holzapfel, C. (2008). Sex Ratio. In Elsevier eBooks (pp.
3243–3248). https://doi.org/10.1016/b978-008045405-4.00658-3

Sanders, J. (2023). Guppy Fish Species Profile. The Spruce Pets.

https://www.thesprucepets.com/guppy-fish-species-profile-5078901

Sasanami, M., Hustedt, J., Alexander, N., Horstick, O., Bowman, L., Hii, J.,
Echaubard, P., Braack, L., & Overgaard, H. J. (2021). Does
anthropogenicintroduction of guppy fish (Poecilia reticulata) impact faunal
species diversity and abundance in natural aquatic habitats? A systematic
review protocol. Environmental Evidence, 10(1). https://doi.org/10.1186/s13
750-021-00248-6

Shahu Sardar (2021, November 25). Why Fish Die after a Water Change and How
to Prevent It - Creature Companions | Magazine. Creature Companions |
Magazine. https://creature-companions.in/why-fish-die-after-a-water-chan
ge-and-how-to-prevent-it/

Sharpe, S. (2022). Can Massive Water Changes Kill Fish? The Spruce Pets.
https://www.thesprucepets.com/can-massive-water-changes-kill-fish-1381885

Sato, A., & Karino, K. (2017). Evidence for Strategic Sex Allocation in the Guppy
(Poecilia reticulata): Brood Sex Ratio and Size Predict Subsequent Adult Male
Mating Success. Ethology, 123, 221-229.

Shahjahan, R. M., Ahmed, J., Begum, R. A., & Rashid, A. (2014). Breeding
biology of guppy fish, Poecilia reticulata (Peters, 1859) in the laboratory.
Journal of the Asiatic Society of Bangladesh. Science, 39(2), 259–267.
https://doi.org/10.3329/jasbs.v39i2.17866

28
Sheppard, M. (2021). Guppy Care Guide: Lifespan, Size, Diet, Breeding & More.
Aquarium Source.

Sneddon, L. U., Wolfenden, D. C., & Thomson, J. S. (2016). Stress Management

and Welfare. In Fish Physiology (pp. 463–539). Academic Press.
https://doi.org/10.1016/b978-0-12-802728-8.00012-6

Tourino, A. (2023). How To Keep Male And Female Guppies In The Same Tank -
Betta Care Fish Guide. Betta Care Fish Guide.
https://www.bettacarefishguide.com/how-to-keep-male-and-female-guppies-in
-the-same-tank/

Tun, T. M. Y., Win, H.H., and Khaing, Z, M. (2014). Crowding Effect on the
Survival Rate of Ornamental Fish (Swordtail). Universities Research Journal,
6(147-155

Wayne, A., & Wayne, A. (2022). Guppy Male-To-Female Ratio – Best Population
Ratio. KOIUSA Blog - Fishkeeping & Home Aquariums.
https://koiusa.com/guppy-male-to
-female-ratio/

Yusni, E. & Hasibuan, N. F. D. (2023). Short communications: Effect of red spinach

(Amaranthus tricolor L. var Blitumbrum) extract in the diet on color brightnes
of guppy fish (Poecilia reticulata). Aceh Journal of Animal Science, 8(30
- 33).

29
 APPENDICES

Appendix Figure 1: Stocking Water in Tanks

Appendix Figure 2: Arrival of Breeders From Ramon, Isabela

Appendix Figure 3: Stocking of fish in the Tanks

30
 Appendix Figure 4: Stocking of Water in the Tub

Appendix Figure 5: Setting of Containers and Aerators

Appendix Figure 6: Feeding

31
Appendix Figure 7: Measuring Ammonia Level

Appendix Figure 8: Monitoring mortality

Appendix Figure 9: Fry Collection

32