Salt Water Clown Fish Facts
Clownfish, also known as anemonefish, live in tropical waters near Southeast Asia, Australia, Japan and Indo-Malaysia. They get their name from their aggressive nature that appears as playful antics.
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Description
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Clownfish range from 3 to 5 inches in length; males are smaller. Although they can be many colors, including blue and yellow, they are typically orange with three white stripes: one at the head, one in the middle of its body and one on the tail. Thin black stripes border the white ones.
Symbiosis and Habitat
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Clownfish have a symbiotic relationship with 10 species of sea anemones. The clownfish get to live in the anemone without being stung and in return eat the leftovers that clutter the anemone. Clownfish live in pairs, typically around coral reefs.
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Diet
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Clownfish eat algae, copepods, isopods, zooplankton and leftovers from the anemone. Clownfish also eat the anemone's dead tentacles.
The Dominant Sex
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All clownfish are born males, but as they mature they turn into females. When the dominant female dies, the superior male will turn into the dominant female.
Predators
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Clownfish do not have many ocean-dwelling predators, but they are sought after by man for use in aquariums. Damselfish, brittle stars and wrasses eat clownfish eggs.
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References
Resources
- Photo Credit Clownfish. Christian Mehlfuhrer/wikipedia.commons
