[Animals] Clown Anemonefish

[Wassim MH]

COMMON NAME: 

Clownfish

SCIENTIFIC NAME: 

Amphiprioninae

TYPE: 

Fish

DIET: 

Carnivore

GROUP NAME: 

School

AVERAGE LIFE SPAN IN THE WILD: 

6 to 10 years

SIZE: 

4.3 inches

This 4-inch-long (10-centimeter-long) fish shares an amazing partnership with another sea creature: the anemone (pronounced: uh-NEM-uh-NEE). The partnership benefits both participants, and the close relationship led to the fish being named an anemonefish.

Anemones have tentacles that sting, but the clownfish isn't bothered by them. In fact, it lives among the tentacles.

Living among the tentacles of the anemone, the clown anemonefish gains protection from predators—which don't dare get near the stinging protector. The anemonefish also gets to eat leftovers from the anemone's meals. The anemone benefits from having the fish around, too. The useful fish nibbles away parasites that bug the anemone. And sometimes the anemonefish brings food into the tentacles which the anemone can also eat. Generally several anemonefish make one host anemone their home.