Different Facial Structures within the Oscellaris species

[JHawlz9989]

I've noticed over the year or so that I've had a saltwater tank that some oscellaris clowns seem to have different facial features. By that, I mean that some o. clowns seem to have a more rounded facial structure, while some seem to be more pointed. Has anyone else noticed this? What causes this? Some sort of byproduct of inbreeding that we get with tank bred clowns?

Josh

 

[elegance coral]

Some sort of byproduct of inbreeding that we get with tank bred clowns?

Josh

Most likely. It's common in all CB clowns, regardless of species. It's very very very rare in WC clowns though. This tells me that we're doing something wrong in the way we raise these fish. Some think it's inbreeding. Others think its nutritional during the early stages of life. Still others think it's due to water quality issues. Maybe it's a combination of factors????????????

 

[JHawlz9989]

Most likely. It's common in all CB clowns, regardless of species. It's very very very rare in WC clowns though. This tells me that we're doing something wrong in the way we raise these fish. Some think it's inbreeding. Others think its nutritional during the early stages of life. Still others think it's due to water quality issues. Maybe it's a combination of factors????????????

Does this coincide with a lower life expectancy of CB clowns?

Josh

 

[phender]

Since the weird facial features can be be found in CB clowns from WC parents, I don't think inbreeding is much of a factor. My first couple of batches of baby clowns in the early 1990's had about 25% of the fish having bulldog faces, flared gill plates and/or mis-marked color patterns. By increasing the number of water changes and improving the food quality I was able to almost entirely eliminate all deformities including incomplete markings. When I see deformed clowns for sale it makes me sad and a little angry because I know that someone is cutting corners on the care of babies.