Deformities?

[Ambition]

I am very picky about my clowns, as I really don't like clowns that have deformities. Is there a way to see or predict deformities in clownfish when they are small? Say like .75" or less? I only ask because local breeders tend to start selling at that size (one even had them for sale shortly after all stripes came in). I just don't want to bring one or two home only to find out they have bad mouths, gills, etc. I would prefer to have parents that are already good specimens before breeding, that is if I do breed them.

 

[dc]

Looking at the parents might be a good start. I'd look for someone selling larger clowns myself.

 

[phender]

When I was breeding clowns any of the deformities that you mentioned were noticeable very early(right after metamorphosis). The problem is that they are small and none of them have their adult shape until a little later so its not easy to tell unless you have a little experience.
A good breeder can usually grow almost 100% of their babies without deformities. IME its not genetic, but environmental. If you see obviously deformed babies(bulldog faces, flaired gills, etc.) in grow out tanks, I would assume that nearly all will have slight deformities when they get bigger and would move on to another breeder.

 

[dc]

I didn't get to pick these out as I ordered them from my friend, but they were medium sized and I'm pretty happy with them. I need to find my camera cable for a better picture.

 

[Ambition]

Thanks for the advice Debi and Phil. I will be looking closely at the group as a whole when I go and look to see what the local breeders have. Maybe they will have some older groups that I can look at and choose from.

Any other tips and advice are welcome.