Clownfish are undoubtedly one of the most well-loved and recognizable fish in the world. The Disney movie Finding Nemo may have played a significant role in fanning the popularity of these vibrant orange fish, but the clownfish has also become a firm favorite because of its unique characteristics. Here are some fun clownfish facts that teach us six important life lessons.
#1: A relationship is about “give and take”
Mutualism is a type of symbiotic interaction that guarantees a favorable outcome for all organisms involved. This is exemplified by the relationship between a clownfish in the ocean and the anemone where it resides. The stinging tentacles of the anemone protect the clownfish from any predator attack.
In exchange the clownfish uses its bright colors to lure other fish for the anemone to capture. It also keeps the anemone clean by feeding on its dead tentacles, parasites, and leftovers. Further, it nourishes the anemone with its excrement and helps the stationary anemone host breathe by increasing seawater circulation with a wiggle dance.
#2: Some good things happen by chance
While the symbiotic relationship between an anemone and a clownfish is enviable, it takes a period of courtship for host and fish to bond. NatGeo explains the young clownfish performs an elaborate dance by touching the anemone’s tentacles with different parts of its body until it has adapted to its host. If it can’t find an anemone to acclimatize to within a day or two, it dies unfortunately.
Why can’t most marine animals do the same thing with a sea anemone? A clownfish is born with a thick mucus layer, making it immune to the anemone’s stinging capsules called nematocysts. As a clownfish grows it mixes its mucus with that of the sea anemone for a higher level of resistance against the coral’s fatal sting.
#3: Everyone has strengths and weaknesses
While clownfish are adored for their bright colors, they also have a flaw—they are relatively slow swimmers! They are homebodies because they are would be easy prey if they wander away from their sea anemone. Clownfish usually venture only several inches from home.
#4: Don’t believe everything in the movies
Finding Nemo has been criticized for not depicting the strong hierarchy of clownfish. Clownfish are considered sequential hermaphrodites. This means all of them are born males but they can transform themselves into females when they become adults. In a group of clownfish, the largest is the breeding female, the second largest is the breeding male, and the rest are male non-breeders. If the female dies, the dominant male changes its sex, and the non-breeder males will move up a level in their hierarchy.
In the first scene of Finding Nemo a barracuda devoured the mother clownfish and its children. This should have made Marlin the dominant female and Nemo the breeding male, and they could have been responsible for reproduction. But, well, it’s just a movie and let’s keep it that way—the heartwarming story of a father and son journey.
#5: Looks can be deceiving
Here’s another fascinating clownfish fact: They may look cute and have a friendly name, but actually they are aggressive animals. Despite their small size, they bravely face scuba divers and snorkelers who are a thousand times larger than them. Some persistent divers have even been bitten by a clownfish, the fish’s daring way of chasing away intruders who come close to their territory.
#6: Recognize and respect diversity
The most common clownfish, Amphiprion ocellaris, have a bright orange body with white vertical stripes that have black edges. While these are the ones commonly seen at pet shops and in saltwater aquariums, there are in the sea.
Based on shape, pattern, colors and other morphological features, these varieties have been divided into 6 complexes, namely; clownfish, tomato, skunk, clarkii, saddleback, and maroon. Some are yellow while others are pale orange. Some have a reddish or blackish color with white lines or patches. All of them are charming, though.
What do you like about clownfish? Share your thoughts with us in the comments.
