I just picked up what I hope to one day be a breeding pair of Tank Bred Black and White Clowns. What I am wondering is since the two are brother and sister will that effect the future of the babies? I did a quick search and nothing really came up I am trying to do a bit of research now before they actually pair up.
Fish and Inbreeding
- Thread starter Db366
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Fishbulb2
New member
Most likely nothing much will happen and you can't be sure that their parents weren't inbred either. The effects of inbreeding aren't easy to predict until an obvious mutation becomes present and its nature is understood (recessive or dominant). Most "designer" breeds, whether they are dogs or fish, are the result of inbreeding. If you are set on breeding these fish, then I would just say go for it.
FB
FB
Well I am not set on breeding them, I would like to, but I would also like to have healthy generations for whatever pair I do breed. From what I have read Clowns reach sexual maturity at 7 or so months so these two are getting there, I would just like to make sure I figure it out now before they are paired.
Fishbulb2
New member
You just won't know until it happens. And really, it's highly unlikely that anything catastrophic will happen. I really wouldn't give it a second thought. If you can get an unrelated partner for each and break up the pair, then fine. Or you could just leave the spawn in your community tank and the offspring will simply be food for everyone else. Otherwise, I don't think it's likely there will be a problem.
The problem with most inbreeding is that it is done over MANY MANY generations. Pure bred dogs have been inbred for hundreds of years. The old monarchies did this for several generations as with the Amish communities. This eventually caused them some harm but it took a really long time to accumulate these deleterious mutations within the lines. It's not likely you'd experience any problems above what any other breeder sees. Remember too, that seasoned breeders can still have the occasional bad clutch especially when dealing with a new pair. If your first few clutches fail to thrive, this is nothing out of the ordinary. My understanding is that most of the "designer" clowns are the result of intentional inbreeding or artificial selection.
FB
(PS. I'm not promoting intentional inbreeding of livestock per se, I just don't think it's that unusual in the animal industry and that a few generations typically won't result in any unhealthier stock)
The problem with most inbreeding is that it is done over MANY MANY generations. Pure bred dogs have been inbred for hundreds of years. The old monarchies did this for several generations as with the Amish communities. This eventually caused them some harm but it took a really long time to accumulate these deleterious mutations within the lines. It's not likely you'd experience any problems above what any other breeder sees. Remember too, that seasoned breeders can still have the occasional bad clutch especially when dealing with a new pair. If your first few clutches fail to thrive, this is nothing out of the ordinary. My understanding is that most of the "designer" clowns are the result of intentional inbreeding or artificial selection.
FB
(PS. I'm not promoting intentional inbreeding of livestock per se, I just don't think it's that unusual in the animal industry and that a few generations typically won't result in any unhealthier stock)
Pickle010
New member
Like mentioned above I wouldn't worry about it. Research has shown that most clowns on the same reef in the wild are related. Many breeders say you can breed down to F10 and not worry about it. I don't think I'll ever go further than F2 or 3 - there just isn't any reason.
My clowns came from opposite ends of the country and are 6 years apart in age - I'm guessing they are F1. lol
My clowns came from opposite ends of the country and are 6 years apart in age - I'm guessing they are F1. lol
Fish are generally considered resistant to inbreeding problems. That said, after a few generations, it's not unusual to start seeing things like pugs, malformed fins, missing eyes and other defects. It's also how many of the crazy mutations come about...some of which take on a crazy sort of market demand and high dollar value.
duncaholic
New member
7 months to sexual maturity? IDK for sure, but I think it takes longer than that. I've never heard of any clowns spawning within the first 2 years. I don't think they even change sex until later than that.
