Do you think we have gone too far with clownfish breeding?

[JoshH]

So I got this email the other day about ORAs new breed of clown fish "Zombie Clowns". Reading through this these new clowns look pretty cool, not something I would want myself but I could see the allure to them.

Upon further reading near the bottom of the article theres a little disclaimer stating that contrary to belief these fish aren't blind, but partially blind.

I don't know for sure if this is a byproduct of the particular type of breeding it takes to get this type of clowns or not. But I would think it's somewhat related.

ORA Unleashes Zombie Clownfish on the Masses - CORAL Magazine

It's taken several years, but Robert King's Zombie Albino Black Clownfish will now see wider distribution as a result of breeding efforts by ORA.

www.reef2rainforest.com

So my question is, do you think we have gone too far trying to come up with new patterns of clowns? Have we gone so far as to accept breeding to the point of relatively disabled fish? What are your thoughts on this?

 

[DSC reef]

I like some designer clown but IMO it's got to the point of ridiculous when a fish is bred partially blind. Pretty soon it will be hard to ID clownfish as it is with zoas

 

[UCF Alum]

I think as long as it’s not affecting them and their health with cross breading and life longevity long term I’m okay with it.
Although it’s not what nature intended.

 

[Peach02]

I agree with what @DSC reef said, its all well and good until they start having difficulty living due to the selective breeding. Its the same thing with pugs

 

[UCF Alum]

I like some designer clown but IMO it's got to the point of ridiculous when a fish is bred partially blind.

If that’s true, I just changed my opinion on the matter. NO animal should be bred partially blind simply for the aquarists enjoyment.

 

[JoshH]

I like some designer clown but IMO it's got to the point of ridiculous when a fish is bred partially blind. Pretty soon it will be hard to ID clownfish as it is with zoas

I agree I do like some designers. But what's next, Reindeer clowns?

 

[Silver14SS]

"Visual acuity is reduced" is a very vague statement. I wonder how impaired their vision actually is, if it's something that would be obvious to the fishkeeper or impair the fishes ability to survive in a tank.

They are not aesthetically pleasing to me and I don't like the idea of breeding fish that have a known impairment. Too far for me but to each their own.

 

[afuel]

To me some of the new clownfish look like they are diseased. I just don’t find them appealing. Having said that I do have a pair of Davinci clowns

 

[DSC reef]

I agree I do like some designers. But what's next, Reindeer clowns?

Now with fur, no medication needed!

 

[JoshH]

Now with fur, no medication needed!

Or a limited edition "Waldo clown"

 

[DSC reef]

To me some of the new clownfish look like they are diseased. I just don’t find them appealing. Having said that I do have a pair of Davinci clowns

Davinci are nice looking, I'm a fan of the storms.

 

[Hermie]

It's absolutely sickening if a breeder or company is selling and breeding disabled animals as a result of market demand. This is sickening. Color patterns is one thing, natural defects is one thing, but marketing the disability? That's sickening. That would result in a lifetime boycott of that company by myself unless they apologize and stop that practice.

 

[DSC reef]

Or a limited edition "Waldo clown"

But can you find it......

 

[JoshH]

"Visual acuity is reduced" is a very vague statement. I wonder how impaired their vision actually is, if it's something that would be obvious to the fishkeeper or impair the fishes ability to survive in a tank.

They are not aesthetically pleasing to me and I don't like the idea of breeding fish that have a known impairment. Too far for me but to each their own.

I agree it is a very vague statement, but I would think having to say it means that it's something that is noticeable. If it wasn't I don't think that they would say something cause no one would have observed it.

 

[Silver14SS]

I agree it is a very vague statement, but I would think having to say it means that it's something that is noticeable. If it wasn't I don't think that they would say something cause no one would have observed it.

Yeah, had to notice it in their behavior, not like they had them read an eye chart. It does make me think slightly less of ORA for breeding them.

 

[DSC reef]

Yeah, had to notice it in their behavior, not like they had them read an eye chart. It does make me think slightly less of ORA for breeding them.

I agree, I always thought highly of ORA. I would assume the fish displayed some type of behavior to be declared partially blind.

 

[JoshH]

Yeah, had to notice it in their behavior, not like they had them read an eye chart. It does make me think slightly less of ORA for breeding them.

This is a first batch, So personally, I think I can give ORA a pass as you wouldn't know of any potential health issues until the fish mature. However, if they continue to breed them, that will certainly give me pause.

 

[Silver14SS]

But can you find it......

 

[DSC reef]

 

[Daniel92481]

As long as no real harm is done, I’m ok with it. I feel that clownfish are one of the fish that attract newcomers to the hobby. You can thank Disney for that. I would actually like to get a clownfish myself, but am waiting for the Great white shark/clown morph for my nano. Should work out great.