A few weeks ago, I had the privilege of touring the facilities of Proaquatix, a leader in marine aquaculture located in a warehouse in Vero Beach, Florida. Managed by Eric Wagner, the facility is home to over 300 pairs of clownfish, which contribute to the majority of clownfish seen in both private and public aquariums across the United States. However, their work extends beyond clownfish, encompassing species such as Royal Gramma, Dottybacks, PJ Cardinals, Peppermint Shrimps, Gobies, Blennies, Angelfish, and large display fish like Golden Trevally, Lookdown, and Fusiliers. They are also pioneering projects with Berghia Nudibranch, Queen Angels, Yellow Tangs, and the Guineafowl Puffer, having been the first to successfully close the life cycle of the latter in 2003.
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Ensuring Genetic Diversity and Health in Saltwater Aquarium Breeding
Contrary to what one might assume given the large volumes of seawater needed, they do not pump water directly from the ocean. Instead, they use what is commonly known as synthetic seawater, mixing specific aquarium salts with water filtered through reverse osmosis. Eric explained that this approach not only saves costs but also prevents the introduction of bacteria and organisms from the ocean, thereby reducing the risk of disease transmission.
The first stop is the breeding area. When I asked Eric about the criteria for pairing, he mentioned that it is purely aesthetic. They pair the most unique specimens and hope they get along. We know that clownfish have a rather unique temperament, but this does not seem to hinder their sustainable clownfish cultivation.
Eric also noted that replacing a male clownfish can be challenging when it dies. However, if a female dies, the male becomes female, and this transition usually does not cause issues with accepting a new partner.
You might wonder, as I did, about the potential for inbreeding issues. Specifically, is there a risk of genetic deformities due to inbreeding in clownfish? Eric is not the least bit concerned about this. To date, their clownfish are born healthy with no apparent issues related to inbreeding.
Designer Clownfish: Techniques and Traits in Aquarium Breeding
Designer clownfish are highly popular in the aquarium trade due to their unique coloring and appeal to enthusiasts seeking something special for their collections. But what exactly are designer clownfish? Let’s start from the beginning.
In the wild, we find seven main groups of clownfish: Skunks, Tomatoes, Saddlebacks, Clarkiis, Maroons, True Clownfish, and False Clownfish, totaling about 30 species.
When we talk about designer clownfish, we refer to clownfish variants selectively bred to enhance or alter specific features such as color and patterns. These fish are not found this way in nature; instead, they are the result of deliberate breeding and selection by aquarists and breeders aiming for unique and often more striking appearances than those of wild species.
Proaquatix has over 300 breeding pairs, some of which have been laying more than 400 eggs every 15 days for over a decade. The eggs are laid on tiles, which are removed after 6 or 7 days to prevent loss and possible infections and are then transferred to the hatchery area.
The process involves selecting individuals with desirable traits and breeding them over several generations. For instance, breeders might cross species with unusual color patterns or specific mutations to produce offspring that exhibit those traits more prominently or in new combinations.
However, predicting the pattern of the new offspring is somewhat challenging. For example, pairing two cool fish likely results in similarly cool offspring, but according to Eric, determining the exact pattern is practically impossible.
Additionally, we are faced with another scenario. On one hand, clownfish from the Percula genus continue to change their patterns up to a year or year and a half, while those from the Ocellaris genus stabilize at six months. This is why, when they are born, they are still too small to be classified by variety. They cannot be classified or sold until they reach one and a half inches in size.
Strategies for Successful Feeding and Growth in Clownfish Breeding
Once the eggs are collected from the breeding section, they are moved to the hatchery, an area where, among other things, temperature is carefully controlled. Here, rotifers, microalgae, copepods, and artemia are also cultivated.
One of the questions I was most eager to ask was about feeding. How do they get animals genetically prepared to eat live food to eat prepared food like pellets? “At weaning time, when the clownfish are big enough to eat brine shrimp, they are mixed with pellets. Not all will take to them immediately, but eventually, they do. Moreover, the time of day is also important—it’s not the same early in the morning when they’re hungry as later in the day. But honestly, it’s not a problem at all. They all end up eating pellets.”
Once they reach the appropriate size, they are moved to the growth area where they are sorted by variety and finally shipped to customers.
When I asked Eric about how he started breeding clownfish, he shared, “The trade in clownfish has been around for a long time. The only new thing in the market was ‘designer clownfish.’ The industry is shifting towards the sale of captive-bred animals because it’s cheaper. Although, some people still prefer wild clownfish even if they cost three times more simply because they are wild. In my opinion, it makes no sense, but that’s how the market works.”
The ongoing capture of wild species for marine aquaria remains a significant issue, with up to 95% of marine ornamental fish sourced from the wild, often from vulnerable coral reef ecosystems. This practice, driven largely by demand in countries like the United States, has raised substantial concerns about sustainability and coral ecosystem impacts, particularly with harmful capture methods like cyanide fishing and its effects. In this context, the role of companies like Proaquatix becomes crucial. By prioritizing captive breeding for marine conservation, Proaquatix not only provides a sustainable alternative to wild-caught fish but also contributes to the preservation of marine biodiversity and the protection of coral reefs. Their efforts underscore the vital need for the industry to shift towards more responsible practices that safeguard our planet’s marine life, highlighting the importance of ethical marine ornamental fish trade and conservation strategies in marine aquaria.
