Dragon guppies stand out because of their clean metallic scaling and strong contrast. The challenge is keeping that “dragon look” consistent over generations without drifting into weak bodies, washed-out metal, or tails that look impressive but reduce swimming ability. A stable line is built by selection + consistency, not by chasing extremes.
Start with a clear goal
Before pairing, decide what you’re protecting. For many dragon strains that’s: clean metallic plate scaling, a straight body line, and a tail that’s proportional (not oversized and floppy). If you select only for tail size, you often sacrifice health and fertility.
Pairing strategy that keeps the line predictable
- Work small and tight: run 1–2 trios as your “core” and keep a backup trio if you can.
- Keep records: even a simple note like “pair A x female B” helps you avoid accidental random breeding.
- Watch the tail base: a strong peduncle supports good tail shape and reduces spinal stress.
Selection and culling (the part that matters most)
You don’t need to be harsh, but you do need to be consistent. Remove fish from the breeding program if you see:
- bent spines or “banana backs”
- persistent clamped fins or weak swimming
- metallic scaling that is patchy, dull, or muddy
- tails that look heavy enough to slow the fish
Judge at 8–10 weeks under white light so you see the true metallic quality, not just warm-room lighting tricks.
When to outcross
Outcrossing is not failure — it’s maintenance. If you see fertility dropping, spines weakening, or overall vigour sliding, it’s time to refresh. Many keepers refresh every 4–6 generations with a compatible dragon line, then selectively breed back toward the original look.
Husbandry that protects finnage and metal
Stable water and moderate feeding beat “growth pushing”. Keep temperature around 24–26°C, maintain KH so pH doesn’t swing, and avoid overfeeding that pollutes water and softens fins. Clean water keeps fins sharp and colour crisp, which is what dragon guppies are all about.
