The Mystery of Marine Hybrids

The Merriam-Webster dictionary says a hybrid is “an offspring of two animals or plants of different races, breeds, varieties, species, genera”. Throughout history, many of our most well known hybrids were the result of human manipulation for specific genetic characteristics. From super-sweet tomatoes to the utterly useless Liger, we've been genetically manipulating animals through selective breeding for centuries. In much more recent history, different species of fish have been bred to get specific color morphs to that wow and dazzle aquarium enthusiasts. We made beautiful (and sometimes weird) guppies and goldfish and so many designer clownfish that we now have literally dozens of varieties of them. However, when we come across naturally occurring hybrids, there is always a bit of mystery as we try to decipher their origins.

Wild hybridization is either so rare that the offspring are either almost never seen, or so common that it can be a driver for speciation. Here at Quality Marine we have the occasional (and enviable) opportunity to receive fish that look like they are the product of hybridization. We say “look like” because without genetic testing, there is no way to be certain of what the lineage of the animal in question actually is. In fact, frequently there is no way to tell if the singular fish is actually a hybrid and not just an aberrant color form resulting from a standard breeding but unique gene expression instead. Most of the wild hybrids that come through Quality Marine are crosses between two Centropyge Angels, many of which have juvenile color forms, which throws yet another monkey wrench into trying to sleuth out what they actually are.

While sometimes the parents of any individual fish are easy to guess (probably) based on coloration, we also have the luxury of knowing exactly where this fish was collected and prevailing currents in that area. This information allows us to narrow down the possible parentage to species known to inhabit the region (and those up current). In addition, we have a large team of biologists on staff here at Quality Marine, and we work very closely with scientists and geneticists around the globe. When we have the opportunity to share information or a fin clipping with them we nearly always take that opportunity to advance the knowledge of the ocean and its denizens, and in so doing, come up with concrete answers about what the fish in question actually is. Conversely, what we sometimes receive is a beautiful fish that leaves us wondering exactly what it is. What we do know, is that all hybrids are rare, and among them, no two are the same. If you end up being the lucky owner of one, you have a gem. We at Quality Marine are proud to have been a trusted and sustainable part of that experience for you for over four decades.

********PICK A GOOD HYBRID PHOTO********