Scientists develop designer clownfish – The Hindu

Scientists at the National Bureau of Fish Genetic Resources (NBFGR) claimed to have developed designer clownfish through cross-breeding of two clownfish species – Amphiprion percula (male) and Amphiprion ocellaris (female).

The research findings were published in an article by scientists Ajith Kumar T.T. and P. R Divya at the Centre for Peninsular Aquatic Genetic Resources, which is part of NBFGR, Kochi, in the journal Current Science.

The NBGR has the hatchery production technology for more than a dozen of clownfish species using low saline water. The designer clownfish was produced at the hatchery at the Coastal and Marine Biodiversity Centre, Airoli, Mumbai, according to a release.

The Bureau had tied-up with the Tribal Development department of Tamil Nadu government for the livelihood promotion of the tribal community at Pichavaram and Pulicat regions. The designer clowns available at the facility in Annamalai University will be propagated and supplied to the beneficiaries of these two regions for further rearing on cluster mode approach (community aquaculture), which will provide a promising return to them, it said.