The Ecosystem of a Clownfish

Coral Reef Ecosystem

• Coral reef ecosystems are some of the most diverse on the planet, earning them the nickname, "rainforests of the sea." The base component of these ecosystems is coral. These colorful and sessile animals, part of the cnidarian family, are composed of polyps that create a large calcium carbonate skeleton for protection. Many large animals use coral as a source of food or shelter. These, in turn, attract even larger animals, thus creating a diverse and balanced ecosystem.

Ecosystem Requirements

• Coral reef ecosystems, and therefore clownfish, exist in very specific circumstances around the world. They are all developed in clear, shallow water because it is necessary for sunlight to reach coral polyps in order for them to grow and survive. All coral reefs exist in a stretch of tropical or subtropical water that runs between 30 degrees north and south of the equator all around the world.

Types of Coral Reefs

• There are three main kinds of coral reef ecosystems, all of which are home to some species of clownfish. Fringing reefs are the most common of these, extending out from the shore and into shallow waters. Barrier reefs are those separated from the mainland by a lagoon or bay. Examples of these are the Great Barrier Reef in Australia and the coral reefs off the coast of Belize. Finally, there are atolls, which are coral reefs built on the rim of submerged volcanoes. There are only 300 in the world, all of which are found in the South Pacific.

Clownfish and Anemone Relationship

• There are a number of symbiotic relationships between coral reef organisms, and the clownfish is involved in one of them. All clownfish live their entire lives with a host anemone. Anemones are cnidarians that are closely related to corals. They are colorful and have numerous stinging tentacles. Clownfish have mucus that protects them from the stinging tentacles, which act as protection for the fish and its eggs. In return, the clownfish helps defend the anemone from other small fish that might try to attack it.