Mutant Clownfish: A New Fish for the Nemo Set?

The other day I was visiting a local Florida fish shop and came across these Percula Clownfish. They had been captive-raised by a local aquarist and brought to the fish shop with great pride.

As I watched them writhe in a tight group amidst a fake turquoise coral, I started to wonder if there was room in the hobby for such aberrant or mutant fish. After all, Picasso Clowns, Onyx Clowns, and so-called Naked Clowns have all earned a place in the hobby. Would a fish with a contorted, doll-like head or missing vertebrae make a good pet if it somehow looked different from all the rest?

Culling Thoughts

I have always been a big advocate of culling. Any offspring with obvious morphological deformations such as missing gill covers, twisted vertebrae, smushed mouths and disfigured heads were to be destroyed.

The future of captive raised marine aquarium fishes in the industry is quite dependant on producing high quality offspring exhibiting every characteristic that makes the species desirable- or at least I thought. In the early days of captive breeding clownfish often looked like bull dogs and deformities were common. Colors were bland and it was hard for fledgling companies to compete against wild caught fish.

Over the years, however, we have learned significantly that nutrition and water quality can lead to a superior product that is healthier and infinitely more marketable than wild-caught specimens. If deformed fish begin to enter the marketplace more frequently will it affect the good name and future sale of captive raised fish or will it actually become a more desirable product?

Consumers Vote

As I pondered these questions I went back to the fish shop to take another look and every single one was sold to a new home. In the tank directly next to the mutant fish were normal looking Ocellaris Clownfish with no deformities and three perfect stripes.

Sadly, to me at least, it seemed these may have been too common, maybe even boring, as every one was still there bobbing up and down begging for a home. We have seen deformities become highly marketable in the freshwater aquarium trade. It is inevitable that they will invade the marine hobby?

Comments

[Alcapown]

I agree 100%, I also think its only a negative for the hobby, especially when mutants are picked over healthy, normal specimens. I wish there was a way to nip this in the bud, but I don't foresee that happening, although I haven't witnessed any mutants at any of the local LFS's here.

[Guinapora]

Proper culling is why I've never been a big fan of ora. And sustainable has been pretty good until recently. Got a couple at the shop that I'd never sell.

Hey I'm going to do a review on your book on reefbuilders.com in about a week. So keep up the good work.

-Guin

[Amie]

I think it's sad that fish like this have made it to the market and that they are chosen over the healthy, more common clownfish. As a breeder myself, I have noticed that I only get misbar clowns when I haven't taken the time to care for them properly before they go through meta. Personally, I think it has something to do with nutrition, but that's just my opinion. But if it is an early stage nutrition issue, then it's quite possible that these fish would have significantly weaker immune systems and who knows, may even be infertile.

The flared gills that show in your pictures is certainly another cause for concern. In my opinion, These fish never should have made it to the market.