Thanks to Finding Nemo, the clownfish has seen a large spike in popularity. If you’re ready to get to know this fish a little better, then here are some interesting facts to consider.
1. They Are Aggressive
Clownfish are actually one of the more aggressive fish there is for its size. They are far from patient. If there is food around, then they are going to go after it without hesitation. They’ll also attack divers who they believe will threaten their homes. If you want to get to know one, however, you will need to find a field of sea anemones to visit. They live there thanks to a symbiosis that has developed where the poisons of the anemones do not affect them.
2. Lots of Different Colors
The typical clownfish is seen as being orange and white, but these fish can come in a wide variety of colors. You’ll find them in blue, yellow, red, or even black depending on their location. There are 28 different species around the world, usually living in warm waters and near coral reefs. This is just another reason to take care of the coral reefs.
3. An Interesting Life
One of the most unique facts about the clownfish is that every single fish is born a male. When the dominant female clownfish passes away, the dominant male in the school will change their gender and become a female. A new male clownfish will then take over the role of the dominant male.
4. A Short Incubation
When the female clownfish lays eggs, she’ll place them under rocks or in other hidden locations to prevent them from becoming food. The eggs develop into new fish in as little as 6 days. If you’re in a tropical location during mating season, you’ll often find thousands of little clownfish swimming around freshly hatched a couple hours after the sun sets.
5. They Hate Captivity
Clownfish are one of the animals that live longer in the wild than they do in captivity. Most clownfish will live up to 10 years around their natural coral reefs an anemones, but only for about 3-5 years if they are living in an aquarium.
Clownfish have become a beloved fish for many. By knowing these interest facts, we can all get to know these fish a little bit more.
