Clown Anemonefish

Clown Anemonefish

  Tropical reef fish

Clown Anemonefish

Identity card

Clown Anemonefish

Scientific name:
Amphiprion ocellaris
Family:
Pomacentridae
Class:
Actinopterygii
Phylum:
Chordata
Year of description:
Cuvier, 1830
IUCN Status:
Not Evaluated
Distribution:

Tropical waters of the eastern Indian Ocean and western Pacific.

Habitat:

The ocellaris clownfish lives near coral reefs, together with a stinging anemone.

Size:

The ocellaris clownfish measures approximately 11 cm.

Diet:

Zooplankton and filamentous algae.

Clown Anemonefish
 

It inspired the creation of a product to protect against stings from jellyfish, anemone, sea lice

Did you know?

The clown anemonefish or ocellaris clownfish lives in symbiosis with a giant stinging sea anemone. It protects it from predators and in return, the fish keeps the anemone in good health. Each anemone usually hosts a female, her male partner and several small juvenile fish.



It is not considered as a potential prey because they share the same chemical compounds. The mucus that covers the clownfish is produced by its anemone and protects it from the stinging capsules of Cnidarians.

Where is the animal to be found?

The ocellaris clownfish lives near coral reefs together with a stinging anemone. The ocellaris clownfish spends its entire life in its chosen anemone.



It lives between a depth of 1 and 15 metres in lagoons, in reef habitats as well as in turbid coastal areas.

How can it be recognised?

It can be recognised by its 3 white stripes. The ocellaris clownfish measures approximately 11 cm.

What is distinctive about it?

The ocellaris clownfish changes sex during its lifetime: it is born male and then, if the female dies, the dominant male will change sex and become female. The largest immature male will in turn become a dominant male.  This species is oviparous, the female lays her eggs near the sea floor or in the anemone. The males look after them and aerate them.

Where can I find it at Nausicaá?

MANKIND AND SHORES

Clown Anemonefish

Tropical reef fish

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