![]() The body shape of clownfish is perch-like-oval and laterally compressed with an interrupted lateral line. They have three anemone hosts on which there are dependent-outer reefs: magnificent anemone Heteractis magnifica and leathery anemone Heteractis crispa, and on shore reefs: giant carpet anemone Stichodactyla gigantea. HabitatĬlownfish live on coastal seaward reefs and in shallow and sheltered lagoons at depths of 1-12 m (3.3-39.3 ft). A rare black variation is found around Darwin, Australia. Native to the Andaman Sea to Northwest Australia, central Indonesia and the Philippines, and southwest Japan. They are fed krill (a small shrimp-like animal) and pieces of finely chopped seafood. This species is also called the “orange anemonefish.CONSERVATION STATUS: Safe for Now - ProtectedĬLIMATE CHANGE: Not Applicable At the AquariumĬlownfish are found in an exhibit in the Aquarium’s Tropical Pacific Gallery.This is unlike the lone female, who does not expend energy on aggressive behavior and instead feeds and grows larger. Therefore, the adult male stunts the growth of juveniles by continuously chasing them and making them expend energy on competitive survival rather than feeding. The larger the male fish, the more aggressive and territorial it is to the smaller males.The subordinate, smaller male fish move up the fish hierarchy in this manner. If the female dies, the largest male changes sex and the next largest male of the non-breeders becomes the new dominant male and then breeds with the new female. The female mates with the largest, dominant male and, consequently, the non-breeder males form a hierarchy based on size. Females develop from males via sex reversal, a process called “protandry.” This sex reversal is triggered by the nature of social interactions of a clownfish community, which is usually made up of two to six fish living in one host anemone. Every clown anemonefish begins life as a male.Predators of clownfish eggs are not able to get past the anemone’s stinging tentacles. Association with anemones provides the clownfish with protection from predators, such as wrasses, damselfish, and brittle stars, and a safe place to lay eggs.This type of symbiosis is called mutualism. In exchange, the clownfish preen the tentacles, cleaning them of debris and waste material to keep the anemone healthy. However, the clownfish relies on the anemone for survival and has not been found in the wild without a host. Anemones can live without clownfish: they have been found in reefs without a co-habitant symbiotic partner.The clownfish is “immune” to the stinging cells of the anemone and lives among the tentacles, which produces a sting that would stun and kill other non-adapted fish. These nematocysts, or stinging cells, make the anemone’s tentacles deadly to passing fish. A sea anemone’s tentacles secrete a chemical that allows its appendages to touch freely as they sway with the ocean current, without triggering the stinging mechanisms.Keeping clownfish without an anemone is acceptable. A popular aquarium fish and easy to keep, but its anemone host can be difficult to maintain.When an artificial light source is moved to the side of the aquarium, the juvenile will “stand on its head” to keep its dorsal fin in line with the light source. The juvenile keeps its dorsal (top) fins tilting toward the light source, which is a behavior used for swimming orientation.Clownfish use sea anemones for shelter and protection from predators. Symbiosis, or “living together,” is the primary behavioral characteristic of this type of fish.After 6 to 7 days, the eggs hatch and eventually settle on the bottom where the young undergo juvenile development, including the formation of their protective mucus coat, which will keep them safe from the tentacles of their future host anemone.Meanwhile, the female continues feeding and increasing her size in comparison to the smaller dominant male. After the 0.12 to 0.16 inch (3 – 4 mm) transparent eggs are laid, the male takes close watch, guarding against predators and continuously fanning the nest to oxygenate the eggs.The male clears algae and debris from an area close to the shelter of the stinging sea anemone tentacles and the female deposits between 100 to 1000 eggs, which are then externally fertilized by the male.Shortly before spawning, the male undergoes several behavioral changes such as fin erecting, chasing, nest-making, and “signal jumping,” a trait used to describe the up-and-down swimming motions of the aggressive male. ![]() Breeding and spawning occur year-round due to the warm tropical seas that this species inhabits.Create monogamous pairs and live together in a small area around their host anemone.Beginning Environmental Leadership Program.Shows & Presentations Shows & Presentations
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