Inbreed clowns, what will the result be?

[clownfish-god]

When we purchase clowns from a breeder we are buying brothers, when the male changes to female and when and if they breed what is going to happen? I mean when they inbreed what will the result be? I'm getting two from a breder but scared that inbreeding will result in deformities! So will my clowns become mutated?

 

[clownfish-god]

Anyone?

 

[kryppy]

I've seen some pretty sad looking clowns from inbreeding.

Haven't you ever heard of stubbies? They lack a vertebrae and people felt the need to propagate them.

I'll venture to say you will get better info if you ask in the fish breeders forum.

 

[musty baby]

I've read that it takes a significant amount of inbreeding (up to f6 progeny) to really start to see the effects of inbreeding, at least in Ocellaris clowns. I don't know how much I believe that. Regardless of whether that's right or not, inbreeding doesn't do too many critters any good. Also, how is there to know how many generations have already been inbred?

You probably won't end up with deformed clowns. If I were you, though, I'd try to find a non-related mate.

 

[clownfish-god]

Ah now here is the promble, I can get two NOW but then ill have bro and sis. I could waite and try to see if my wholesaler will get me some in but 1 onyx wont be worth the trouble!
does F6 mean they have breed 6 times?

 

[musty baby]

Yes, inbreeding 6 times over. My girlfriend is, at this very moment, looking to purchase a non-relative onyx clown, so I/we understand your predicament. She had a brother/sister pair until one of hers went carpet surfing.

 

[clownfish-god]

Thanks I am going to just go WC.

 

[MCsaxmaster]

It takes quite a few back-to-back generations of sibling or parent-to-offspring inbreeding to induce inbreeding depression. Usually if this is done for 10-20 generations one really starts to see problems. I think this is a possiblity with clownfish, but probably not a bridge we are crossing or will cross for at least a while. I've seen folks in other hobbies blame a generation or two or three of inbreeding for all kinds of developmental problems in captively produced offspring when in reality the problems stemmed entirely from poor husbandry and nutrition in the adults (e.g., Veiled chameleons, C. calyptratus).

Chris