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).

http://petlittle.com/fish/clown-fish-mutualistic-symbiotic-relationship-with-sea-anemones.html/attachment/clownfish3

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….

http://petlittle.com/fish/clown-fish-mutualistic-symbiotic-relationship-with-sea-anemones.html/attachment/clownfish7

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