I have been reading through old threads all day on the genetics of Electric Blue Dempsey's in order to get an understanding of the trait so I could start breeding a healthy stock of these guys. The thing is I have seen a lot of controversy over blue gene dempsey's lately. Half of what I have read claims that they show no actual sign of carrying the gene, so they just look like the normal wild type, while the other half states that they do indeed have a blue tinge and color to them. Through my limited understanding of genetics though the blue gene should not be expressed at all since it is a recessive trait. So is the blue actually from the blue gene or is it just purely coincidental? It is just confusing since I have seen normal wild type Dempsey's and then the blue hued "blue gene" Dempsey's. If anyone can give me a definite answer on this it would be much appreciated. Thanks in advance everyone!
EBJD Genetics
- Thread starter Wretched5705
- Start date
IME there is no discernible difference physicaly between the regular JD and the BGJD.
The difference is only in the genes of the JD, where the wild type shows in both EE and Ee, while the mutant shows only in the recessive ee. Which means this should result in a phenotypic 75/25% split and a genotypic 25/50/25% split in the offspring of an Ee and an Ee pairing. This is classic Mendelism, and to my knowledge, there are no other linked genes in the Ee varient that causes them to differ.
The difference is only in the genes of the JD, where the wild type shows in both EE and Ee, while the mutant shows only in the recessive ee. Which means this should result in a phenotypic 75/25% split and a genotypic 25/50/25% split in the offspring of an Ee and an Ee pairing. This is classic Mendelism, and to my knowledge, there are no other linked genes in the Ee varient that causes them to differ.
Awesome thank you for that response! What would you call the wild type dempsey and then the significantly darker "normal" dempsey then? Or am I just confusing myself and seeing different pictures of dempsey's flaring up their colors?
My old JD would go from pitch black to shining like aluminum foil, it all depends on stress and tank status, I've never seen a true dark Jack Dempsey. The only variants I've seen are the EBJD, the Gold Jack Dempsey, and assortment of Hybrids like the Cosmic Jack Dempsey.
There is no difference at all between a Jack Dempsey carrying the blue gene. The look just like the normal Jack Dempsey. The wild caught Jack Dempsey are very uncommon the Jacks you see in the LFS are almost always farm raised or tank bred. You can get some fantastic colors out of jacks by feeding the right foods. bloodworms, tubeflex, beefheart, night crawlers and the veggies. These really bring out standing colors to jacks. If your really interested in breeding EBJD start off several juvis from different sources, raise them until they hit about 4-5in at this point you can tell the sex pretty easily. The long torpedo shaped ones are females, while the bulit bulky ones are males. Look for stock with out beaks, long fins, and deep blue coloring. Now once you've got your ebjd stock get some nice smaller Jack Dempsey/ Blue Gene Jack Dempsey. It's hard to come by BGJD. I have a breeding pair of them but you see I get 25% EBJD 50% Blue Gene 25% Regular so I cant be sure which ones carry the Blue Gene. I also have a 4in hopefully male EBJD and a 6in female EBJD comming in soon. I've found a few other member who are willing to trade and share genes and ebjds. I'm thinking of starting a small group on here for breeders to keep in touch and trade stock.
Yah I read that most people just cull the blue gene/ normal fry since no one wants to buy a 66% het :/, the group definetly would be a great idea though Jaws, I know I would be pretty into that
Why would it be a bad idea? I think it'd be a great idea for keeping other EBJD breeders in touch and get this gene pool more diverse. I normally do cull those fry but I saved a few just for kicks. Honeslty one of my .5 in ones looks amazing I think he or she will become a good breeder for me.
Whoa I totally zoned out on that last post and just went on autopilot, definetly meant to say good idea. I have no idea why I wrote bad. Maybe I should go lay down for a minute lol