Lightning Clown

Since Matt isn't here to often I thought I would share this info.

For over a week now he's had it paired up. Here's a link to his site with a video.
Lightning Maroon – PAIRED. - The Lightning Project

Congrats Matt! Can't wait for the action to start happening!

Hooray!! Patience is a virtue - and it's totally paying off for Matt Congrats! Can't wait to see the progress!!

Thats cool. How many different fish did he try with before he found one that worked?

Originally Posted by chris&barb

How many different fish did he try with before he found one that worked?

Technically 1, as all 3 "worked", but on different levels.

The initial female would have worked, were it not for the fact that she got sick and after 3 weeks of attempts to get her straightened out, she died.

The next fish up was the "Labrador" Maroon, also a female. This fish worked fine, but it was not an ideal mate..it's a White Stripe of unknown origin. The Lightning was kept in a cage during the many months since while I waited for either a smaller PNG male or ideally, another large female.

When the ability to get more PNG Maroons was firmly out of reach (due to SEASMART and PNG coming to legal blows), I ultimately was resigned to pairing with one of the existing male's on hand. Technically I only had 2 options, as I had set aside 2 PNG males to form a PNG pair (a process already in progress) and the other PNG male was spawning with a Gold Stripe Maroon female.

So ultimately, this spawning PNG White Stripe Maroon Clownfish was the selected mate. Now, there were MANY failed introductions between the PNG Male and the Lightning, but part of that was assuredly due to the fact that the Lightning had been kept male and thus, had to undergo a sex shift before you could hope to keep the two fish together. So while there were many failed attempts between this pair, ultimately, this pairing has now become a success, and we're on to the 'make eggs already" phase of the project.

geez it's about time lol.

I figured with all the haters out in the world you needed to see those that support you. I didn't get to watch the video yet, but I will tonight when I get home. I'm just excited you got them paired.

Thanks for stopping by Matt!

Thanks for chiming in Matt and good luck

That is the most beautiful fish I have ever seen! I wouldnt pay the money that some of the designer percula and ocelaris are fetching. Id pay for one of those bad boys! I hope they are available to the regular schlub aqaurists like myself in the coming years! Good luck!!

I'm confused as to the final resolution, Matt. Is the lighting a female now? I'd be surprised if it isn't at this point.

If I've read everything right it is a female now. He kept it male for a long time because it would be easier to pair that way. He's sure made a lot of people happy getting it paired. I know I am.

Why were there haters about this? His plan seems sound to me. Using PNG fish seems the most logical approach since that is where this fish came from. If you cant get a big PNG female what other choice is there?

they wanted him just to use a plain ole maroon clown. I like the way Matt did it too. It may have been quicker the other way, but you lose the PNG bloodline.

Ok. What is PNG.

Papua New Guinea

Got it! Thank you. Next question, is this the only lightning clown? it's an amazing fish, I'm just now getting into the world of clowns.

supposedly they are a wild variant that very very few have been caught and exported... its theorized they may even be a hybrid morph of some sort - but since they came from the wild, no one knows what crossing created them

at least, I think thats the story ... hahaha

From what I understand, there was one caught previously, but there are rumors that it has died. This is the only other one in captivity. It's only happened in PNG that's known of.

Originally Posted by rgrking

they wanted him just to use a plain ole maroon clown. I like the way Matt did it too. It may have been quicker the other way, but you lose the PNG bloodline.

I am so excited about this! congratulations Matt! we'll definitely be following your progress!

That fish is probably more valuable than my car! Very cool find!

If had to guess I'd say it was a hybrid. And not all hybrids can procreate... I guess we'll find out soon enough!

I don't think it was a hybrid just a genetic glitch that caused the striping.