Introducing…
We’ve found everyone’s favourite little tropical fish. It’s not everyday you can meet a movie star.
Appearance
Although they are only small our clownfish are one of the most loved fish in the aquarium due to the popularity of the family film Finding Nemo. The are easily identified with their bright orange bodies and the three defined white stripes. Often found in the coral reefs off the shores in Australia and southeast Asia, some have been found as far North as southern Japan.
Clownfish keep themselves safe by living in anemones which tentacles have stinging cells called nematocysts that release a toxin when an animal touches it. Clownfish have however managed to build up immunity to theses toxins by carefully touching different parts of their body to the tentacles. Clownfish develop a layer of mucus around their body which helps protect them, giving them the ability to pass through these anemones without injury.
Biology
Clownfish are masters at changing their bodies and can even change gender. All clownfish are born male but the most dominant within a group will become female. When the female of the group dies another within the group will become female.
Introducing…
We’ve found everyone’s favourite little tropical fish. It’s not everyday you can meet a movie star.
Type
Fish: Adaptable reef fish
Size
Max 11cm
What do they eat?
Algae, zooplankton, worms and small crustaceans
Water type
Salt water
Where are we?
Indian Ocean, Atlantic Ocean, Red Sea, Medditeranean Sea and Caribbean Sea
