Home / Regular Issue / JSSH Vol. 46 (1) Feb. 2023 / JTAS-2536-2022

 

Breeding and Hybridization of Clownfish Amphiprion ephippium × Amphiprion melanopus in Captivity

Mohamad Saupi Ismail, Mei Ling Khoo, Baitul Ma’mor Dzulfikkar and Annie Christianus

Pertanika Journal of Social Science and Humanities, Volume 46, Issue 1, February 2023

DOI: https://doi.org/10.47836/pjtas.46.1.13

Keywords: Captive breeding, hybrid clownfish, juvenile rearing, Malaysia, marine ornamental

Published on: 22 Febuary 2023

Development of broodstock, spawning, and early rearing of the hybrid clownfish, Amphiprion ephippium (♂) × Amphiprion melanopus (♀), was studied under captive conditions. The fishes were successfully paired after being together for over a year. Spawning occurred between 0700 to 1000 hours every 3 weeks. More than 200 eggs were spawned each time, with an egg size of 1.5 ± 0.5mm. Fertilized eggs turned from bright orange to black to silvery before hatching after being incubated for 7–9 days. Out of 20 batches of eggs spawned, 5 batches were successfully hatched, with only 2 batches surviving to adulthood. The average survival rate for all the batches hatched was 21.16%. Newborn larvae measured about 3–4 mm long, with transparent fins that fused, forming a single fin fold. Larvae underwent metamorphosis on day 10 post hatched, where the fins started to separate, form, and develop body colorations. Two clear and thick bands were observed on the body (head and middle) as early as 14-day post hatched to 90-day post-hatched, where the banding reached its peak. The middle band then began fading as the juveniles grew. By 130-day post-hatched, the juveniles became adults with unique coloration featuring a headband and a black blotch, reaching the maximum size of 34 mm. The hybrid clownfish underwent metamorphosis earlier and reached marketable size much sooner compared to its parent species, making it a suitable candidate for ornamental fish culture. It is the first documentation on the production of hybrid clownfish A. ephippium and A. melanopus both in Malaysia and worldwide.

  • Arvedlund, M., McCormick, M. I., & Ainsworth, T. (2000). Effects of photoperiod on growth of larvae and juveniles of the anemonefish Amphiprion melanopus. Naga: The ICLARM Quarterly, 23(2), 18-23.

  • Balamurugan, J., & Kathiresan, K. (2018). Interspecific hybridization and reproductive biology of marine clownfishes, the orange clownfish Amphiprion percula and clown anemonefish A. ocellaris. North American Journal of Aquaculture, 80(3-4), 301-309. https://doi.org/10.1002/naaq.10033

  • Chapman, K. C., & ZoBell, D. (2010). Applying principles of crossbreeding. https://digitalcommons.usu.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1472&context=extension_curall

  • Department of Fisheries Malaysia. (2009). Valid local name of Malaysian marine fishes. Department of Fisheries Malaysia.

  • Dhaneesh, K. V., Ajith Kumar, T. T., & Shunmugaraj, T. (2009). Embryonic development of percula clownfish Amphiprion percula (Lacepede 1802). Middle East Journal of Scientific Research, 4(2), 84–89.

  • Dhaneesh, K. V., Nanthini Devi, K., Ajith Kumar, T. T., Balasubramanian, T., & Tissera, K. (2012). Breeding, embryonic development and salinity tolerance of Skunk clownfish Amphiprion akallopisos. Journal of King Saud University – Science, 24(3), 201-209. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jksus.2011.03.005

  • Domínguez, L. M., & Botella, A. S. (2014). An overview of marine ornamental fish breeding as potential support to the aquarium trade and to the conservation of natural fish population. International Journal of Sustainable Development and Planning, 9(4), 608-632. https://doi.org/10.2495/SDP-V9-N4-608-632

  • Gopakumar, G., George, R. M., & Jasmine, S. (2001). Hatchery production of the clownfish Amphiprion chrysogaster. In N. G. Menon & P.P. Pillai (Eds.), Perspective in mariculture (pp. 305–310). The Marine Biological Association of India.

  • Green, B. S., & McCormick, M. I. (2001). Ontogeny of the digestive and feeding systems in the anemonefish Amphiprion melanopus. Environmental Biology of Fishes, 61(1), 73–83. https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1011044919990

  • Ignatius, B., Rathore, G., Jagdis, I., Kandasami, D., & Victor, A. C. C. (2001). Spawning and larval rearing technique for tropical clownfish Amphiprion sebae under captive conditions. Journal of Aquaculture in the Tropics, 16, 241–249.

  • Jenkins, A., Allen, G., Myers, R., Yeeting, B., & Carpenter, K. E. (2017). Amphiprion melanopus. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. https://doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2017-2.RLTS.T188491A1882866.en

  • Jenkins, A., Carpenter, K. E., Allen, G., Yeeting, B., & Myers, R. (2017). Amphiprion ephippium. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. https://doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2017-2.RLTS.T188463A1878690.en

  • Jumatli, A., & Ismail, M. S. (2021). Promotion of sustainable aquaculture in Malaysia. In F. A. Aya, L. D. de la Peña, N. D. Salayo, & E. A. Tendencia (Eds.), Proceedings of the International Workshop on the Promotion of Sustainable Aquaculture, Aquatic Animal Health and Resource Enhancement in Southeast Asia (pp. 31–40). Southeast Asian Fisheries Development Center (SEAFDEC). https://repository.seafdec.org.ph/bitstream/handle/10862/6253/JumatliA2021.pdf?sequence=1&isAllowed=y

  • Madhu, K., Madhu, R., Gopakumar, G., Sasidharan, C. S., & Venugopalan, K. M. (2006). Breeding larval rearing and seed production of maroon clown Premnas biaculeatus under captive conditions. Marine Fisheries Information Service, Technical and Extension Series, 190, 1–5.

  • Noh, G. E., Rho, S., Chang, Y. J., Min, B. H., & Kim, J.-M. (2013). Gene encoding prolactin in cinnamon clownfish Amphiprion melanopus and its expression upon acclimation to low salinities. Aquatic Biosystems, 9, 1. https://doi.org/10.1186/2046-9063-9-1

  • Olivotto, I., Planas, M., Simoes, N., Holt, G. J., Avella, M. A., & Calado, R. (2011). Advances in breeding and rearing marine ornamentals. Journal of the World Aquaculture Society, 42(2), 135-166. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1749-7345.2011.00453.x

  • Othman, M. F, Mazuki, H., Yeo, M. E, Amal, M. N. A., Natrah, I., Ho, G. C., & Merican, Z. (2017). Transforming the aquaculture industry in Malaysia. World Aquaculture, 48(2), 16-23.

  • Rhyne, A. L., Tlusty, M. F., Szczeback, J. T., & Holmberg, R. J. (2017). Expanding our understanding of the trade in marine aquarium animals. PeerJ, 5, e2949. https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.2949

  • Rohini Krishna, M. V., Anil, M. K., & Neethu Raj, P. (2018). Larval development and growth of red saddleback anemonefish, Amphiprion ephippium (Bloch, 1790) under captive conditions. Indian Journal of Geo Marine Sciences, 47(12), 2421-2428.

  • Uthayasiva, M., Balamurugan, J., Kumar, T. T. A., Mohideen, A. B. H., & Arumugam, M. (2014). Seasonal disparity in fecundity and embryonic development of cinnamon anemone fish, Amphiprion melanopus (Bleeker, 1852) in captivity. Journal of Marine Biology and Oceanography, 3(3), 1000130. https://doi.org/10.4172/2324-8661.1000130

  • Wilkerson, J. D. (2001). Clownfishes: A guide to their captive care, breeding and natural history. Microsom Ltd.

  • Wittenrich, M. L. (2007). The complete illustrated breeder’s guide to marine aquarium fishes. T. F. H. Publications.

ISSN 0128-7702

e-ISSN 2231-8534

Article ID

JTAS-2536-2022

Download Full Article PDF

Share this article

Related Articles