The clownfish is a common name for the fish of the sea anemone fish subfamily of the family Snapper and is a tropical saltwater fish. There are 28 known species, one from the genus Premnas and the rest from the genus Amphiprion.
Clownfish and sea anemones have an inseparable symbiotic relationship, so they are also called anemone fish. The stinging anemone protects the clownfish, and the clownfish eat the digested residue of the anemone, forming a mutually beneficial and symbiotic relationship.
Clownfish native to the warmer waters of the Indian and Pacific Oceans, including the Great Barrier Reef and the Red Sea. Although the distribution of most species has their limitations, some are very widespread. Clownfish live in shallow lagoons or coral reefs at the bottom of shallow seas.
Clownfish have a special surface mucus on the surface of the body, which protects it from the influence of sea anemones and lives safely in it.
In the case of anemones, they can attract other fish to the free entry and exit of clownfish, increasing the chance of predation; clownfish can also remove the necrotic tissue and parasites of the anemone, and because the clownfish swims, it can reduce the debris deposition into the anemone bush.
Clownfish can also use the friction of their bodies between the anemone's tentacles to remove parasites or mold from their bodies.
Clownfish spawn in the tentacles of the anemone, and after hatching, the juveniles live in the water layer for a period of time before they begin to choose a group of anemones suitable for their growth, and after adaptation, they can live together.
It is worth noting that clownfish cannot live in every kind of anemone, but only in specific objects; while clownfish can still survive without anemones, but without protection.
Clownfish are very territorial, and usually a pair of male and female fish will occupy a sea anemone to prevent other kinds from entering.
If it is a large anemone, they will also allow some other juvenile fish to join in.
In such a large family, the strongest body is the female, she and her mate are dominant males, and the other members are males and juveniles who have not yet shown their characteristics.