Clown Anemonefish
Amphiprion ocellaris
Least ConcernFast Facts
About
The clown anemonefish is the best-known of the clownfishes, its bright orange body banded with three white, black-edged stripes. It lives in an intimate partnership with sea anemones, sheltering unharmed among the stinging tentacles that would deter most other fish.
A protective layer of mucus keeps the anemonefish safe from the anemone's stings, and the relationship benefits both partners.
Behaviour
Clownfish live in small social groups within a single anemone, with a strict hierarchy headed by a dominant breeding female. Remarkably, all clownfish begin life as males, and if the female dies the largest male changes sex to take her place.
They rarely stray far from the safety of their host anemone, which they defend vigorously against intruders.
Did you know?
- Every clownfish is born male and the dominant one can change sex to female
- A special mucus coat protects it from the stinging tentacles of its host anemone
- The fish fans fresh water through the anemone, benefiting its host
- This species rose to fame as the star of a popular animated film
Distribution
Coral reefs of the Indo-Pacific, from the Andaman Sea to Japan and Australia
