Sea Anemones and Clown fish
A mutual relationship exists between Clownfish and Anemones and since clownfish are poor swimmers, they would be easy prey without the protection of the host anemones. There are 28 species of Clownfish found only in the IndoPacific and they are found living only with 10 species of Sea Anemones. [31] [32] |
The symbiotic relationship between these animals has been studied since the middle of the nineteenth century, but there is still no certain understanding as to why the Clownfish is not stung by the Anemone. The most popular view is that the fish coats itself with mucus, which creates an insulating and protective layer.The body of a clownfish is covered with a coating of mucus, that is made of proteins instead of sugars. It is believed that this is the reason why the sea anemone does not view the clownfish as its enemy. [33] |
Confocal image of a tentacle of the symbiotic anemone Aiptasia pallida. Zooxanthellae autofluoresce red in the anemone's gastrodermal cells.
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Besides clownfish, anemones host another important symbiont; the singlecelled algae Zooxanthellae. This algae has the ability to synthesize proteins from sunlight, so much more than it needs for its survival that it provides the excess to its host anemone, which is very significant to the survival and growth of the anemone. [34] |