3 Adaptations of the Clown Fish

Adaptations are common features that a certain group or species of animal share that provide them with some improved function. Clownfish, which have been popularized by the title character in the movie "Finding Nemo," are special because of the many adaptations that they have to survive in their habitats.

  1. Clownfish

    • Clownfish are common, warm water fish, commonly found in the Pacific and Indo-Pacific. They are recognized by their coloration, which ranges from yellow to maroon, with white and black stripes. Clownfish are most famously known for living among sea anemone. They are very territorial and will go to great lengths to defend their territory. The clownfish's ability to live among the usually dangerous anemone is one of its many adaptations.

    Immunity to Anemone Stings

    • Clownfish have evolved in such a way that they are not harmed by sea anemone stings. Anemones have stinging tentacles that they use to shock and kill fish, which they feed on. Since clownfish are not harmed by the tentacles, they are able to hide in the anemone, which protects them from predators. Additionally, they are able to feed on the leftover scraps from the fish that the anemone have killed. The relationship between the clownfish and anemone is mutually beneficial as well; the clownfish keep the anemone clean and healthy by feeding on anemone tenatcles that have died.

    Ability to Switch Sexes

    • The clownfish is unique among fish because of its ability to switch sexes. Clownfish, like bees, have a rigid hierarchy in their groups. At the top of the hierarchy is the reproducing female, followed by reproducing males and then all other male fish. If the reproducing female fish is killed, the hierarchy is thrown out of balance, and the mating male fish becomes the reproducing female fish and chooses a mate from the other males.

    Tending to Young by Males

    • In only a few rare species, mostly aquatic, do the males tend to the young. Seahorses, as well as clownfish, exhibit this pattern. This is because of the clownfish mating hierarchy, where all fish except the reproducing female are males. The couple that has laid the eggs watches over it for three to five days, then the males tend to the hatched eggs and raise the young.