Clownfish or anemonefish inhabit sheltered reefs and lagoons in the tropical Indo-Pacific, and mostly belong to the genus Amphiprion. They are well-known for the symbiotic relationships they form with sea anemones.
There are 28 known species with colors ranging from yellow to red or even blackish and many exhibiting white patches or bars. They vary from around four to seven inches (10 to 18 cm) in length.
They are omnivorous, feeding on algae, plankton, and small invertebrates, such as crustaceans, as well as undigested food from their host anemone.
The host’s stinging tentacles provide protection from predators to the fish, which are immune to the toxins, possibly due to the mucus coating on the fish’s skin.
The clownfish reciprocates by defending the anemone from predators, and eating parasites. The host may also derive other benefits, such as nutrients from the fish’s faeces, and increased currents for feeding.
Anemonefish exhibit a strict social hierarchy when living in groups. The most dominant female inhabits the top of the anemone, and only a single pair in the group will breed.
They are sequential hermaphrodites, that is, they begin life as a male, but become female when mature. If the dominant female is lost from the group, the largest, most dominant male will replace her, and accordingly the other males rise in rank.
Clownfish spawn during the full moon period. Some species lay thousands of eggs, which are deposited on flat surfaces near the anemone. The male guards the eggs until they hatch.
Matthew Oldfield is a freelance photographer based in Bali, Indonesia, specializing in editorial and documentary images from both above and below the waves. He works primarily with charities, NGO’s, and other organizations working to conserve the environment, endangered species, and disappearing cultures.
There are 28 known species with colors ranging from yellow to red or even blackish and many exhibiting white patches or bars. They vary from around four to seven inches (10 to 18 cm) in length.
They are omnivorous, feeding on algae, plankton, and small invertebrates, such as crustaceans, as well as undigested food from their host anemone.
The host’s stinging tentacles provide protection from predators to the fish, which are immune to the toxins, possibly due to the mucus coating on the fish’s skin.
The clownfish reciprocates by defending the anemone from predators, and eating parasites. The host may also derive other benefits, such as nutrients from the fish’s faeces, and increased currents for feeding.
Anemonefish exhibit a strict social hierarchy when living in groups. The most dominant female inhabits the top of the anemone, and only a single pair in the group will breed.
They are sequential hermaphrodites, that is, they begin life as a male, but become female when mature. If the dominant female is lost from the group, the largest, most dominant male will replace her, and accordingly the other males rise in rank.
Clownfish spawn during the full moon period. Some species lay thousands of eggs, which are deposited on flat surfaces near the anemone. The male guards the eggs until they hatch.
Matthew Oldfield is a freelance photographer based in Bali, Indonesia, specializing in editorial and documentary images from both above and below the waves. He works primarily with charities, NGO’s, and other organizations working to conserve the environment, endangered species, and disappearing cultures.
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