Clown Anemonefish
These vibrantly patterned reef fish are usually orange and white, and are able to hide among the venomous tentacles of sea anemones. They are found in the Indian and Pacfic Oceans.
Class: Actinopterygii
Clade: Percomorpha
Family: Pomacentridae
Subfamily: Amphiprioniinae
Genera: Amphiprion and Premnas
Species: 30 species
Common Names: Clown Anemonefish, Clownfish, Anemonefish
The “anemonefish” part of this animal’s name refers to their association with sea anemones. Sea anemones are invertebrates with stinging venomous tentacles that clownfish are immune to. It isn’t exactly known what makes clownfish immune, but some scientists theorize it may be a protective mucus covering around the fish, or perhaps the fish evolved an immunity to the anemone’s stinging toxin over time.
The anemone and the clownfish form a symbiotic relationship. This means each animal involved receives a benefit from the other. The anemone offers the clownfish protection from predators with its stinging tentacles, while the clownfish can help protect the anemone from parasites. Clownfish will feed off the scraps of prey animals trapped in the anemone’s stinging tentacles, and in turn the anemone will receive nutrients from the nitrogen in the clownfish’s excrement. It may seem gross, but it works out pretty good for these animals!
Clown anemonefish live in a matriarchal system, meaning the female is dominant. They are also hermaphrodites, which means that they begin life as males, and transition into females later in life.
Spawning takes place entirely externally. Females will lay their unfertilized eggs on a flat surface, and the male will fertilize them.
Clown Anemonefish get the “clown” part of their name from their typically vibrant coloration. They are often orange with white blotches or stripes. Some are yellowish orange, while others are reddish orange. Some species are mostly black with white markings, The largest clownfish species can grow to about six and a half inches, but most are much smaller, around three inches.
Clown anemonefish are members of the damselfish family, though they occupy their own subfamily, Amphiprioniinae. Scientists have catalogued six different major groups of clownfish: Percula (or orange clownfish, which features an orange body and large white blotches edged in black), Tomato (orange-red in color with a vertical white bar just behind the eyes), Skunk (pink to orange in color with a white stripe down their back), Clark (mostly black with white stripes and yellow fins and face), Saddleback (mostly black with white bars), and Maroon (deep red-orange with white bars that disappear in older fish).
Two clown anemonefish were featured in the popular Pixar animated film Finding Nemo – both the titular Nemo, and his father Marlin. The movie involves Nemo being captured by humans, while his father Marlin attempts to find him, encountering and befriending a forgetful blue tang named Dory along the way. A sequel, Finding Dory, follows Marlin, Nemo and Dory as they attempt to locate Dory’s long lost parents.
Most clownfish are species of Least Concern. However, some local populations are endangered in some species. Clownfish, due to their bright coloration, are very popular in the home aquarium trade, and many fish in aquariums are wild caught. Overcollection of certain species has led to them being rare in some areas. Captive breeding programs are helping to alleviate this issue.
References:
Clownfish- Facts and Beyond | Biology Dictionary
Safari Ltd Clown Anemonefish Toys:
Incredible Creatures Clown Anemonefish Version 1 Figure
Incredible Creatures Clown Anemonefish Version 2 Figure
Coral Reef TOOB Set with Clownfish Mini Figurine
192 Piece Good Luck Minis Clownfish Mini Figurine
Coral Reef Fun Pack with Clownfish Good Luck Mini Figurine