The State Mangrove Cell has created a hatchery for grooming of Nemo fishes at Airoli’s coastal and marine biodiversity centre in 2018. According to the Chief Conservator of Forests (Mangrove Cell) N Vasudevan inside the hatchery there are a total of 57 tanks of these 26 tanks have brood stock pairs of clownfishes. Twenty-six pairs of clownfishes in 26 tanks and remaining tanks are being used for acclimatisation (it is a process in which an individual organism adjusts to a change in its environment) of sea anemones (a soft brightly coloured sea creature that looks like a flower and often lives on rocks under the water). Moreover, to maintain good water quality, the tanks get water from all over the Mandva seacoast of Alibaugh. Vasudevan said, Since the Mumbai creek water requires repeated filteration as compared to the sea water of Alibaugh, therefore the decision was taken. Scientists of the National bureau of fishes genetic resources (NBFGR) has suggested to use the water of Mandva as it has a better water quality suitable for the hatchery. The recommendation was made based on the research and sample testing done by their scientists. NBFGR is a dedicated research center in fishery science under the Indian Council of Agricultural Research of Government of India, which has been given the responsiblity to look after the project for next three years. Vasudevan said, They are located in Lucknow, but their scientist are all over the country, who also visits here and gives their recommendations, which are executed accordingly. Here in Airoli’s coastal and marine biodiversity centre they have hired trained professional who monitor the hatchery on daily basis. While the role of State Mangrove Cell will commence only when these pairs of clownfishes produce babies which will be distributed to womem beneficiaries divided in a group of 10 from nearly 50 villages in the state’s coastal belt of Konkan especially. Interestingly according to research, the clownfish are all born male and they have the ability to turn themselves female, but once the change is made, they can’t go back to being male. Sometimes the change is made when mating. Two males will become mates and the larger, dominant fish will become the female. Interestingly unlike humans and other creatures where the female takes care of the new born or the nesting. Here in clownfish case, the male does most of the egg sitting’. He will fan them and eat any eggs that are infertile or damaged by fungus. The eggs hatch six to eight days later. The larvae floats away and spend about 10 days adrift. They start their lives clear or transparent, but as they begin to mature they start to gain colour of their species, said Vasudevan. These pairs of Nemo fishes have been brought from Kerala. The initiative is to step into the business of ornamental fish which has a huge demand in the market.