The beauty and diversity in the world’s oceans provide us with an amazing variety of species that are both colorful and unique in their habits.   As  scuba divers, we have unique opportunities to see this variety in real life, under completely natural conditions.   Seeing a  clownfish in nature is surely one of the real  treats for divers lucky enough to have the experience.

The clownfish gained the attention of the world as a result of the release of a popular movie in 2003.  Since that blockbuster release, people young and old alike  know Nemo, the adorable little clownfish.  Through excellent cartoon animation, the  lovable little character introduced many people to the vast wonders of the underwater world, and began a love affair with a single fish species that was unmatched in previous history.  Just like the cartoon character Nemo, real clownfish are a pleasure to watch and their real life actions appear to demonstrate a personality that all can understand.

The clownfish is native to  a narrow stretch of the worlds oceans around the tropical reaches of the Pacific and the Indian Ocean.  Clownfish are also found in northwestern Australia, Japan, and Malaysia.  These colorful fish grow to a length of 2 to 5 inches, and are almost always found in the vicinity of their only natural protection, the sea anemone.  In almost all sightings, clownfish are found in pairs in the anemone.  The connection between the clownfish and the sea anemone is a critical symbiotic relationship, possibly one of the most unique in the oceans.

The sea anemone is a poisonous animal that stings and stuns its prey before digesting the kill.  Unfortunately, the immobility of the sea anemone causes the critical tentacles to get clogged with the remains of the prey upon which it lives.  The clownfish seeks protection from its predators in the safety of the dangerous tentacles of the anemone.  The slick, mucus covering on the clownfish makes them resistant to the sting of the anemone,  allowing them to find sanctuary in a protective habitat that is critical for the little fish.  The clownfish feeds on the remains of the animals found around the anemone tentacles, keeping the anemone clean and vibrant.  In addition, the constant movement of the very active clownfish provides constant water movement through the anemone tentacles, helping maintain a fresh and nutrient-filled environment.

While the coloring of the popular Nemo character is bright orange with white stripes, there is actually considerable color variation in nature.  The following video shows a perfect example of active clownfish and the important relationship to the sea anemone.  This video was shot in the waters of the Red Sea.

Phil Ellis

DiveSports.com