Hidden Planet: Secrets of the Animal Kingdom

Hidden Planet: Secrets of the Animal Kingdom — page 9
Mutualism Common clownfish Amphiprion ocellaris The instantly recognizable common clownfish is a small orange white and black fish that grows up to 11 centimetres long Like many other fish species the female clownfish is a lot larger than the male They live in groups with one dominant female and one smaller male breeding while the others care for the nest and defend their home The clownfish is the perfect example of a mutualistic relationship There are around 30 species of clownfish and they all form relationships with sea anemones with both life forms providing a number of benefits to the other The clownfish keep the anemones free of parasites and defend them from predators such as angelfish The constant movement of the little fish in and out of an anemone's tentacles increases water flow which brings in food and helps keep the anemone clean The anemone even absorbs nutrients from the clownfish's excrement helping it to grow larger