 A mutant clownfish with rare colors at the Institute of Oceanography in Khanh Hoa Province, Vietnam. (Photo: Tuoitreonline) |
Ho Son Lam, Deputy Head of Marine Technology Department, Nha Trang Institute of Oceanography, said the breeding is part of the clownfish commercial development project approved by the Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology, with a budget of 77,600 USD. It aims to replace the declining source of clownfish in the wild and seek to export to China, the US, Taiwan, and Europe.
A "Nemo" clownfish, scientifically known as Amphiprion Ocellaris, has orange, red and white stripes, often living on reefs and coral reefs in warm waters.
To artificially breed nemo fish, scientists at the Institute used terracotta pots, replacing coral reefs for fish to spawn. Currently, the research team has successfully bred three mutant nemo fish including mocha storm, frostbite and snowflake. Mutant fish are sold to businesses or aquarists for from 13 USD to 43 USD each, 20 times higher than a regular nemo variant.