[meandean45]

Originally Posted by Elmo18

Being a clownfish breeder myself (and soon to be other species.... )I will give my thoughts on this.

As a breeder, I prefer to form broodstock pairs using wild-caught clowns. This is not to say that I am not an eco-friendly consumer. I prefer the term "Captive Bred" more so than "Tank-Raised". Anything can be tank-raised, so that term is ambiguous. Captive Bred on the other hand, suggests that the animal has never seen the ocean, other than tank environments.

Why do some breeders choose to get wild-caught broodstock? The obvious reason is for the gene pool. As already stated, gene pools get 'shallower' with each passing generation inbreeding with another. With clownfishes this isn't so much of a concern, since it seems that not a lot of mutations and such occur before F10 generations. Therefore, many breeders will use Captive Bred broodstock for their pairs, which tend to have fry that is easier to care for. There is nothing wrong with this.

What I get really mad about is when breeders sell clowns that don't even look like clowns (i.e. bulldog faces, bad shape, etc). As a breeder, I cull when I see it fit (i.e. kill a clownfish for the sake of its species). It is not to say I don't love my clowns....or that I'm an animal killer. I do this so that the species genetic pool will not be shallower by putting out a specimen that is not 'good enough' or 'perfect enough'.

And the debate goes on....but I try to just stick with what I believe in...which is to cull when needed, and only to sell clownfish of great health and form.

Best,
Ilham

Wow! Thanks for this . I really didn't expect to get a response from any Breeders, but yours' is most welcome!
I fully agree that wild caught Brood Stock are the way for Breeders to go (the gene pool thing scares you and I more than some others I see), and I personally think that you're being an ecological good citizen by keeping the gene pool deep with fresh Brood Stock.
Culling! I'm nearly bowled over! Iv'e seen so many poor specimens of Occelaris at my LFS since they started selling tank raised, that I now will spend quite some time eyeballing a Clown the way I used to with fancy Goldfish. Mis-shapen backs, incorrect color patterns, and missing fins seem to have become quite common, and could be prevented by responsible culling by breeders. You have my applause for doing the right thing.
So I've got to ask, Do you sell only locally, or do you ship nationwide? My Nephew recently opened a LFS, and I'd love to recommend you to him if you do!
Thanks once more!
Dean