Importance of nutrition in regards to traits

[knifegill]

I know guppies aren't monster fish by size, but they certainly are by mass! Anyway, I just wanted to relate my most recent observation.
Certain male guppies in my 55 are about a year old, so one would assume they are fully developed. Their appearance hadn't changed in months and wouldn't be doing so anytime soon. That's what I was convinced of until I began dropping little (tiny!) bits of carrot, banana and apple into the tank. In the past few weeks, the mature males have developed astounding upper caudal fin extensions and even more vibrant color than they have ever shown before, even in previous generations. The reds are redder, the purples somehow brighter and deeper at the same time. And even new colors are appearing on previously transparent fin tissues.
I know this is nothing new, but I thought I should mention it for anyone who hasn't heard and wants prettier fish. You will be amazed, even if you expect it!

 

[Druu]

carrot = beta carotene

 

[tcarswell]

carrot = beta carotene

lol

Yes sometimes a change in diet can stimulate breeding behavior , color changes and even growth. (usually not in other wise genetically full grown fish however)

What do you normally feed?

 

[knifegill]

I normally feed a wide variety of pellet, flake and crumb foods. Some tropical, some intended for goldfish and the occasional algae wafer and meat/carnivore pellet They do fine that way, but I'm never going back now. I just hope they don't get too picky. I have a bad track record of picky fish lately.
I almost forgot, I'm feeding dried seaweed strips, too. I found them last weekend at an asian store in a big plastic can for 2.00. It's the green kind, dried not baked and cut into thin strips. The fish love them, but to me they taste like rotting beach waste.
I like most of the fish foods. They usually taste like fish or veggies. But not that seaweed, man. I don't see why people eat it on purpose, knowing ahead of time what it will taste like. Once is enough for me.
But, yeah, the tail extensions on these guys were a real surprise. They are Endler/guppy mutts and always had a red stripe on top of their tails, but it never became too substantial. Now they look like those fancy guppies at the pet store with fork-tails wagging in the current. Very peculiar, but I have seen Endler strains with looong tail extensions, so I'm not opposed, else I might weed them out.

 

[Druu]

Ah well, I do like the sea weed. If you're feeding out of the Asian markets, be sure you get dried seaweed without salt.