How do clownfish reproduce?
Only two clownfish, a male and a female, in a group reproduce through external fertilization. The clownfish are hermaphrodites, meaning that they develop into males first, and when they mature, they become females. Also, as mentioned earlier, more than one clownfish is able to live in a sea anemone.
What kind of relationship do the clownfish and anemone share?
mutualism
If we were in the warm waters of the Pacific or Indian Oceans, we’d likely spot an excellent example of mutualism: the relationship between clownfish and sea anemones. In a mutualistic relationship, both species benefit.
Are clownfish asexual?
Surprisingly, all clownfish are born male. They have the ability to switch their sex, but will do so only to become the dominant female of a group. The change is irreversible.
Why are they called clownfish?
Fun Facts about Clownfish They get their name from their bright orange coloring and white stripes, but also from the bouncy way they swim. Clownfish females can lay over 1000 eggs. The male clownfish guards the eggs.
Why is the relationship between a clownfish and a sea anemone an example of commensalism?
The clownfish and a sea anemone pair up, both species require each other to fight for their survival. The clownfish need protection from predators, so it requires sea anemone for protection. The symbiotic relationship is known as commensalism, in which one species profits, while the other species are not affected.
How is the relationship between the clownfish and the sea anemone mutualism?
The sea anemone and the clownfish live together in a type of symbiotic relationship called mutualism, where both species benefit from the other. Meanwhile, the clownfish cleans the tentacles of the anemone, draws in prey, keeps predatory fish away, provides moving water, and offers nitrogen that the anemone needs.
Do male clownfish lay eggs?
The male does most of the “egg sitting.” He will fan them and eat any eggs that are infertile or damaged by fungus, according to the ADW. The eggs hatch six to eight days later.
When does an Amphiprion ocellaris lay its eggs?
When spawning is about to occur, the male will chase the female to the nest, but the female actually begins the process. The female makes several passes over the nest and eventually lays orange eggs over the period of 1-2 hours before leaving the nest (Thresher 1984).
What are the six types of Amphiprioninae fish?
These features have been used to group species into six complexes, percula, tomato, skunk, clarkii, saddleback, and maroon. As can be seen from the gallery, each of the fish in these complexes has a similar appearance.
Is the Amphiprion ocellaris a male or female anemone?
Amphiprion ocellaris is part of a the subfamily Amphiprioninae, or anemonefishes. This group is characterized by being protandrous hermaphrodites, meaning that all individuals develop first into males and then possibly into females later (Myers 1999). An adult male and female and several juveniles may reside together in an anemone.
How does the Amphiprioninae help to prevent conflict?
This strategy prevents conflict by reducing competition between males for one female. For example, by purposefully modifying their growth rate to remain small and submissive, the juveniles in a colony present no threat to the fitness of the adult male, thereby protecting themselves from being evicted by the dominant fish.