Orange Clownfish

Taxonomy Kingdom – Animalia Phylum – Chordata Class – Actinopterygii Order – Perciformes Family – Pomacentridae Genus – Amphiprion Species – Percula

Biology The Orange clownfish is one of 27 species of clownfish. Each of the species has different orange white and black markings. The orange clownfish has 3 white bands. One white band just behind the eye One band right down the middle of the fish One band the Caudal (back) fin.

Biology Live in groups that use size hierarchy to determine dominance. There is no visual difference between males and females of the species.

Biology The orange clownfish (as well as all other clownfish species) is found associated with sea anemone. (type of Cnidarian)

Biology Orange clownfish live in groups of 4-6 with one female and 5 males. In the group the female is dominant. Dominance is determined by size. The dominant female is the largest of the group, followed by the dominant male, then followed by other members of the group.

Reproduction Clownfish reproduce sexually. Only the dominant male and female of the group breed. The other members do not. All fish born are born male.

Reproduction If the breeding female dies the breeding male will change sexes and become a breeding female. When the breeding male changes the next largest male (who wasn’t allowed to breed) becomes the breeding male. Actual breeding is done in the sea anemone by broadcast spawning (nesting).

Size The orange clownfish can be as large as 11cm (5.5 inches) but the species average is 8cm (4 inches). Size is determined by the hierarchy. Female is the largest, who limits the size of the breeding male, who limits the size of the male below him….

Habitat The orange clownfish (and all other species) are specialized to live in coral reef. Found in warmer waters in the Pacific and Indian oceans. Great barrier reef Australia

Habitat The clownfish live within an anemone (Cnidarian). Symbiotic relationships Anemone provide protection Clownfish feeds, removes wastes and oxygenates the anemone They use the anemone for protection from predators as they are not very good or fast swimmers.

How can it live in an Anemone Theory 1: A mucus secreted by the skin of the clownfish is thought to protect it against the nematocysts of the anemone. Preventing them from firing. Theory 2: The fish has acquired an immunity to the toxins of the sea anemone.

Food The clownfish is an opportunity feeder. They eat small crustaceans, plankton, and organic matter (plants and animal waste).

In the Movies The 2003 movie Finding Nemo orange made clownfish very popular. Movie inaccuracies based on biology. Nemo’s father was the breeding male, who should have turned female when the mother was eaten by barracuda Marlin’s companion throughout the move is actually a predator of the clownfish.

Video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hyYW0mr-e7k http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8rSlA_ywEec http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PZl8cQW384k&feature=related http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bza-PpfEcOk&feature=endscreen&NR=1