Clarkii Clownfish

[ktrandc]

I saw a pair of Clarkki clownfish on LA that are from New Guinea. They are much more expensive than the ones that are USA tank bred. Does anyone know if the prices are justified? The ones from NG are $180 and the ones from US are $50. What's the difference in size, temperament, looks as they get older, etc.?

Here are the ones from NG.

Here are the ones that are tank bred.

The NG ones look much nicer to me but I don't know if they'll end up growing to look the same as the TB ones. Is the price difference because of the fact that they are from NG?

Mike

 

[moonyguy]

I have a mixed pair of NG Clarkii and a Bluestripe clown. Both were WC separately and have paired up well. I am not sure if the prices are justified or not but I paid $30 for each of them at my LFS. They are pretty active and always upto something. I would say that they are a lot more aggressive than my tank-raised Occelaris clowns.

 

[ktrandc]

thanks for the response. the wild caught ones sure a nice looking.

 

[seafansar]

I have a WC clarkii that looks exactly like the bigger one in the first picture. I don't know where she was caught, but she only cost about $25. Maybe I lucked out. lol. Those first ones are beautiful, but I wouldn't pay that much.

 

[phender]

I noticed that you live in Orange County. If you find a LFS that uses Sea Dwelling Creatures as one of their wholesalers, just ask them to pick up a couple for you. SDC has started bringing in fish from PNG regularly and PNG clarkis have been on their lists. They will be much cheaper and they will likely be just as much a pair as the LA fish are.

 

[ktrandc]

Thanks phender for the suggestions. I will definitely start looking there.