Nemo found: Rare clownfish species bred in Taiwan

Want China Times, Staff Reporter 2013-08-17

A group of three-month-old McCulloch's clownfish in the tank.
(File photo/Chuang Cher-chuan)

Taiwan's Fishery Research Institute's Eastern Oceanic Biology Research Center took advantage of of special deep-water conditions to breed Amphiprion mccullochi or McCulloch's clownfish, originally from Australia, which will become an asset for Taiwan because they are a rare species, reports our sister paper China Times.

"The deep-level sea water has rare bacteria and lots of nutrition for these fish, which is an important factor in helping them survive," said Ho Yuan-hsing, a researcher at the center.

An adult fish costs approximately NT$50,000 (US$1,600) while an infant costs NT$20,000 (US$660). Ho said that the center spent NT$180,000 (US$6,000) on two adult fish two years ago. The pair laid eggs for the first time last May but none of them produced viable offspring. They laid another 300 eggs again on April 20 and this time the hatching was successful after the researchers decided to try the deep-level breeding tactic.

"These fishes are described as the Rolls-Royce of the fish industry and prices for them will become higher and higher as they grow up," Ho said. The fish grow up to 12cm long in their natural habitat.

The species has been designated as protected by the Australian government due to their dwindling numbers, and they are now banned from being exported from the country. As a result, the recently hatched eggs in Taiwan have acquired an even greater value.　

References:

Ho Yuan-hsing　　何源興