The Clownfish

Clown & anemone

Clownfish belong to a sub-group of the Pomacentridae family. d 27 species have been recorded, of which 26 are classified as belonging to the type genus Amphiprion and a single one in the genus Premnas (Premnas biaculeatus). They live in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. They have developed a very odd lifestyle. On one hand the ‘family unit’ is original, as it is composed of a dominant female and her smaller and less voluminous partner. Gravitating around the couple is a series of satellite males of a yet smaller size. Should the female die, the dominant fish transforms itself into a female and chooses one of the satellite fish to become the couple's functioning male.

Furthermore, each clownfish couple lives in symbiosis with a sea anemone, whose tentacles provide shelter. In fact, contrary to its predators, the clownfish is not subject to the anemone’s tentacles attacks, which cause skin irritation. Nevertheless, there are variations between the species. For example, Clark’s anemonefish is capable of living within a dozen sea anemone species whilst others, such as Amphiprion frenatus, can only find sanctuary in one of them.