Ques. Why aren’t clownfish breeders focused on breeding fish with less aggression?

[Errol]

For so many in the hobby, the perfect tank would be a clownfish harem tank. Clownfish breeders are constantly breeding new varieties with longer fins, different colors, different numbers and locations of stripes. Why not breed clownfish with less aggression who are happy living long-term in a harem? That I would pay serious money for.

 

[Chris.Reef]

As great as that sounds I don't think its possible to breed out territorial instinct. as soon as they eventually get paired up they will want their own area and will guard it. One solution is to just add a bunch of areas. Mystic aquarium has a very nice large clownfish tank. this is a picture of it from 2023, pictures never do it justice though.

.

 

[afboundguy]

I understand where you are coming from as various pet breeders have the ability to do this generally like with dogs. The only issue is this breeding has been going on for thousands and thousands of years since we domesticated wolves. I am laughing as I sit outside finishing up lunch and my pair of wolf "descendants" are lounging around scared of leaves falling.

We have only been breeding ornamental SW fish for a few decades and as @Chris.Reef mentioned it's not as simple as it sounds breeding out innate survival instincts. Even my two wolf "descendents" still have instincts that kick in occasionally (when they're ever awake that is!) even with thousands of years of selective breeding.

You hear about this all the time still today with certain dogs being better at certain things. German shepards and malinois are high drive dogs great for protection and service. Golden retrievers are a family friendly dog and so forth.