Amphiprion Thiellei

Discussion in 'iBluewater' started by iBluewater, Dec 20, 2014.

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  1. iBluewater

    iBluewater Senior Member (PhD)

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    Amphiprion Thiellei

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    The Thiellei anemonefish is an increasingly hard to find specimen. This condition mirrors that of its "cousin" the Amphiprion leucokranos, otherwise known as the White bonnet clownfish (please see pictures below). The situation has changed a little with the Leucokranos. A small batch of captive bred Leucokranos was successfully brought to market, partially easing the pressure of scarcity.

    We recently acquired a very unique looking Thiellei variant from a remote Philippine Island. This one is unlike any of the Theillei anemonefish that has come into our possession before.

    Thielleis generally come in two variations. The first variation would have a white top cap/bonnet/patch as part of a complete first band. The second variation would have that top cap laying by itself, with a large "sideburn" down each side of the fish that, together, form a three-part first band.

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    The unusual specimen we acquired features a complete first band with a noticeable forward brim at the forehead, just where it would be on a cap. Separately at the top and just behind the first band, lies a distinct teardrop cap. In addition, the white saddle that sits on top of its tail stump appears to look like a teardrop cap similiar to its front cap. We find this Thiellei to be a truly unique specimen.
    (see photo below)

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    There is now confirmation that Leucokranos is a hybrid between A. chrysopoterus (Blue stripe clownfish) and A.sandaracinos (Orange skunk clownfish). This certainty was provided by a DNA test; a collaboration between iBluewater and a DNA Lab in Europe. (Photo of A. Leucokranos pair below)
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    Amphiprion thiellei, on the other hand, is considered a hybridization of A.sandaracinos (Orange skunk clownfish) and A. ocellaris (Ocellaris), which explains the more elongated body of a Thiellei when compared to a Leucokranos.

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    As a side note, in the picture below, the Purple long tentacle anemone (M. doreensis) is in very close proximity to the large haddoni. They make frequent contact with each others tentacles. This puts up a serious questions as to whether the frequently mentioned chemical warfare between anemones exists. We frequently place anemones of various species in such close proximity and they have gotten along well. Its our believe that any "warfare" resulting from anemones in contact is the result of bacterial transference from an infected anemone to uninfected ones that come in contact with it.

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    Last edited: Dec 21, 2014
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  3. Corailline

    Corailline Super Moderator

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    Very interesting regarding the anemones and chemical warfare. What a beautiful fish as well.
     
  4. Matt Rogers

    Matt Rogers Kingfish

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    What a great post! Thanks for sharing. I am not familiar with the history of theTheilleis. Why are they harder to find now? Since it is a hybrid does that mean the two populations are not mingling as much? Are there breeding efforts being made?

    I also appreciate the details on the anemones and the Leucokranos. Very interesting.
     
    Last edited: Dec 21, 2014
  5. iBluewater

    iBluewater Senior Member (PhD)

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    It does appear that the Achilles heels for anemones is usually a bacteria infection.
     
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  6. iBluewater

    iBluewater Senior Member (PhD)

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    Thank you kindly Matt. You brought up an excellent question, it could very likely be that the two species are not mingling as much as the were before.
    If there exist small but reasonable numbers our suppliers at the very lease would be able to ship us a specimen a month.

    This year we received 14 Leucokranos specimens, but only 2 Thiellei specimens and this includes the featured specimen. At this time very
    little effort is being made to breed them. We know of perhaps two hobbyist who have tried form several years without success. A major
    hurdle being hybrid sterility this compounded with the scarse numbers available to form broodstock pairs.
     
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  7. Matt Rogers

    Matt Rogers Kingfish

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    Thanks Terry. Those are low numbers. Can you tell me a bit about hybrid sterility?
     
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  9. iBluewater

    iBluewater Senior Member (PhD)

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    Simply put when two different species of animals, plants, fish breed their resulting offsprings are hybrids. In general hybrid offsprings are sterile or infertile.

    There are a number of explanations and reasons, one reason is that hybridization combines at random two distinct genetic programs, which may interact in an inharmoniously antagonistic way resulting in sterility or infertility. For example when a Donkey (Equus africanus asinus) breeds with a Horse
    (Equus ferus caballus) the resulting hybrid offspring a Mule (Equus mulus) is in general sterile/infertile.

    However depending on how closely related the species are, for example when a Wolf (Canis lupus) breeds with a Dog (Canis lupus familiaris) their offsprings are
    not sterile. However when a Dog (Canis lupus familiaris) breeds with a Fox (Vulpini) their resulting offsprings are sterile.
     
  10. 1.0reef

    1.0reef Giant Squid

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    I knew they were Occy-Skunk hybrids! ove them! I recently did a write up on them on another forum.
     
  11. scajeo

    scajeo Sea Dragon

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    very interesting. I am thinking about buying premium Picasso's, are they sterile as well?
     
  12. 1.0reef

    1.0reef Giant Squid

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    No, these guys aren't sterile. ORA just bred their cousins.