Anemonefish

Clownfish belong to the Pomacentridae family. The clownfish falls under a group of species commonly referred to as Damselfishes. There are 28 recognized species of clownfish. Of these, 27 belong to the genus Amphiprion. Clownfish are native to both the Indian and Pacific Oceans. Their natural habitat includes the Great Barrier Reef and the Red Sea. The color palette varies among clownfish, depending on the species. They can be found in orange, orange-red, burgundy, yellow or black. Most species have the characteristic white and black bars on their bodies, which is why they are also called clownfish in English. These white and black stripes contrast against the fish’s body color making them look like they are wearing a clown costume. Clownfish grow to 4 – 6 centimeters, depending on the species. Their lifespan varies from 3 to 6 years.

Symbiosis

Clownfish in a bubbletip anemone

Clownfish are known for the mutual symbiosis they share with the sea anemone. The co-evolution of these two animals creates one of the most interesting symbiotic relationships found in nature. Sea anemones are highly toxic to most marine life. This exotic creature paralyzes its prey with powerful neurotoxins. It uses its tentacles to pull prey into its gastrovascular cavity for digestion. This unique cavity functions as both a mouth and anus. The digestive process results in semi-digested waste floating in the immediate vicinity of the anemone. The clownfish eats this waste as a source of protein. They then secrete feces, which is an additional source of proteins for the anemone. Clownfish have a mucous membrane around their body, which acts as a natural barrier against the anemone’s poisonous stinging cells (nematocysts). Scientific experimentation has led to the death of clownfish after exposure to these neurotoxins after they were stripped of their protective mucous membrane. This mucous membrane allows the clownfish to seek shelter from predators in the protection of the anemone’s tentacles. It is common for the clownfish to stay within 2 to 4 centimeters of its host for its entire life. This symbiosis has led to these fish being commonly referred to as a clownfish.

The Aquarium

Clownfish are hardy and tractable animals. They are an excellent choice for amateur saltwater aquarium enthusiasts. They are also the perfect addition to a reef marine aquarium. Keeping sea anemones is more challenging. Fortunately for the novice, clownfish can be kept without their natural host present. Just make sure you provide them with plenty of hiding places and avoid keeping them with the more aggressive species and you will be fine. Once you have more experience, you can choose to add an anemone to your aquarium. Be sure to check if they are compatible at your local fishing store. The individual clownfish species can be combined with different sea anemones (see also table below). Despite their humble nature, the clownfish will exhibit territorial behavior towards other clownfish, especially towards clownfish of the same species. It is better to keep a single or a pair of clownfish. Clownfish are commercially bred in captivity. If you purchase a fish that can be bred in captivity, you will want to have a captive-bred specimen rather than a fish that has been caught in the wild. You will have a happier and healthier fish that is much more likely to get used to its new environment. And aquarium-reared fish are generally more disease-resistant than their wild counterparts.

Diet

Clownfish are omnivores. A clownfish that grows up without the presence of a sea anemone can be fed vitamin-enriched brine shrimp and zooplankton in combination with frozen products intended for omnivores.

Breeding Clownfish

Unlike most hermaphrodite fish species, clownfish are sequential hermaphrodites. All clownfish are born male, unlike proterogynous hermaphrodites, which are always born female. If two clownfish are in an aquarium together, the larger and more dominant of the two will turn into a female. You will want to use a breeding tank if you are attempting to breed clownfish in captivity. Place a piece of PVC pipe on the bottom of your aquarium floor to be used as a breeding chamber. Eggs are deposited either on the bottom of the tube or on the surface of a flat stone nearby. The young will hatch 6 to 10 days later. Newly hatched young are very small. They must be fed rotifers until they grow. Once they have grown a little bigger, they can be fed newly hatched brine shrimp or dry powdered food. (see also the article Breeding Clownfish) Author: Exotic-Aquariums (no longer online)

Anemone species for Clownfish

Not all anemones are suitable for all Clownfish. Below is a table of possible combinations. Please note: this list is not complete and does not guarantee that a combination always works. Some clownfish use an anemone that would normally not form a combination, so doing your own research can’t hurt!

Anemoon Bijpassende Anemoonvissen
Cryptodendrum adhaesivum – Tapijtanemoon Amphiprion frenatus
Amphiprion clarkii
Premnas biaculeatus
Entacmaea quadricolor Amphiprion akallopisos
Amphiprion akindynos
Amphiprion allardi
Amphiprion barberi
Amphiprion bicinctus
Amphiprion chrysopterus
Amphiprion clarkii
Amphiprion ephippium
Amphiprion frenatus
Amphiprion mccullochi
Amphiprion melanopus
Amphiprion ocellaris
Amphiprion rubrocinctus
Premnas biaculeatus
Heteractis aurora Amphiprion allardi
Amphiprion chrysogaster
Amphiprion chrysopterus
Amphiprion clarkii
Heteractis crispa Amphiprion barberi
Amphiprion chrysopterus
Amphiprion clarkii
Amphiprion ephippium
Amphiprion latezonatus
Amphiprion leucokranos
Amphiprion melanopus
Amphiprion percula
Amphiprion perideraion
Amphiprion polymnus
Amphiprion perideraion
Amphiprion sandaracinos
Heteractis magnifica Amphiprion akallopisos
Amphiprion bicinctus
Amphiprion chrysogaster
Amphiprion chrysopterus
Amphiprion clarkii
Amphiprion leucokranos
Amphiprion melanopus
Amphiprion nigripes
Amphiprion ocellaris
Amphiprion percula
Amphiprion perideraion
Heteractis malu Amphiprion clarkii
Premnas biaculeatus
Macrodactyla doreensis Amphiprion chrysogaster
Amphiprion clarkii
Amphiprion perideraion
Amphiprion polymnus
Premnas biaculeatus
Physobrachia douglasi Amphiprion bicinctus
Stichodactyla gigantea Amphiprion bicinctus
Amphiprion clarkii
Amphiprion ocellaris
Amphiprion percula
Amphiprion perideraion
Amphiprion rubrocinctus
Stichodactyla haddoni Amphiprion chrysopterus
Amphiprion clarkii
Amphiprion ocellaris
Amphiprion percula
Amphiprion polymnus
Amphiprion sebae
Stichodactyla mertensi Amphiprion akallopisos
Amphiprion allardi
Amphiprion bicinctus
Amphiprion chrysogaster
Amphiprion chrysopterus
Amphiprion clarkii
Amphiprion fuscocaudatus
Amphiprion latifasciatus
Amphiprion leucokranos
Amphiprion ocellaris
Amphiprion sandaracinos
Anemonefish

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