Hobbies And Interests
Species
While the 28 types of clown fish have different markings and shapes, the ocellaris is the most widely recognized with an orange head and body, separated by black-trimmed white stripes. The ocellaris clown fish also has black tips on its fins and tail. All clown fish types are from the kingdom Animalia and are indigenous to the Pacific and Indian oceans. Clown fish of all species eat algae, plankton and mollusks and are immune to the sting of the sea anemone.
Habitat
Clown fish live in warm, shallow tropical waters. While their origins are traced to the Indian and Pacific oceans, some species are more widespread and their habitat includes Australia's Great Barrier reef and as far north as the Red Sea. The ideal home for a clown fish is a rocky sea floor with plenty of places to hide. One clown fish usually inhabits a sea anemone, but with a larger anemone, they may cohabitate. Groups of clown fish congregate over a small reef patch area for the purpose of reproduction.
Physiology
All clown fish are born male and a group's dominant fish will develop female reproductive organs as it ages. Clown fish grow to an average of 4 to 6 inches and their lifespan is 4 to 8 years.
Female clown fish lay their eggs on a smooth, flat surface next to the sea anemone they inhabit. She may lay hundreds or thousands of eggs, with the average clutch containing 2,000 eggs. The amount of eggs per clutch depends on the species. Clown fish lay their eggs once a month and the male guards the eggs until they hatch in just over a week.
Dangers
Because of their small size, clown fish often fall prey to larger underwater animals. The most predominant predator for the clown fish are sharks, rays, eels and other large fish. Their relationship with the sea anemone offers them refuge and the clown fish will defend and protect its adopted anemone with its life.
Due to the popularity of the Disney movie "Finding Nemo," many people purchased clown fish and did not know how to properly care for them. A great many clown fish died this way, according to the website A-Z Animals. Clown fish are not considered an endangered species at this time (as of 2011), but according to the World Conservation Union, many ichthyologists (scientists who study fish) do worry for the clown fish's future, because of their popularity with aquarists. Clown fish are being successfully bred in captivity in hopes of meeting the marine aquarist demand.