Premium Only Content
Anemone fish can live where few other fish can
Sea anemones are predatory animals that anchor to the coral and sway in the ocean current as they search for food. Their tentacles can resemble the long leaves of a plant as they grasp at fish and small animals that serve as food for the sea anemone. In some species, the tentacles are much shorter. The tentacles contain stinging cells that are equipped with an external sensory hair. When triggered, the cells fire a harpoon-like barb and inject a toxin. This can be used as defense or for hunting. Small fish and other marine animals become paralyzed and are then devoured by the sea anemone.
But there are fish that are immune to the sting of the sea anemone. Clown fish and anemone are well known exceptions, with their mucous that prevents the activation of the sea anemone's stingers. Clown fish are the best known, but not the only fish with the ability to produce this mucous. There are a few other species that are referred to as anemone fish. These two are the Fiji anemone fish. They live among the deadly anemones, taking cover at the slightest sign of a threat. Predators don't dare follow the anemone fish into the tentacles and the small fish are safe within.
These fish continuously rub up against the tentacles, even when predators are not near. The contact with the anemone helps them accumulate mucous which combines with their own mucous to produce the substance that masks their presence from the stinging cells.
The anemone benefits from the fish in a perfect example of a symbiotic relationship. The anemone fish becomes aggressive and chases other fish away that might nibble at the tentacles of the anemone. The fish excrement provides the anemone with nutrients. The entire arrangement is a win-win situation for both animals.
Anemone fish are loyal to an anemone, remaining in the same location and protecting their host. Often found in groups, there will be one breeding male and one breeding female. If the female dies, the male will turn into a female and the largest non-breeding male will assume the role of being the male breeder.
Anemone fish feed primarily on zooplankton that drift past on the ocean currents. As expected, these fish were found on the reef surrounding an island in the Republic of Fiji.
-
0:28
WildCreatures
2 months ago $1.63 earnedBaby Capybara Yawns and Falls Asleep Under His Mother's Watchful Eye
5.41K3 -
16:16
Robbi On The Record
12 days ago $20.57 earnedThe Dark History of Halloween | What You Should Know
62.2K53 -
58:18
Flyover Conservatives
1 day agoThe Truth About Halloween that You DIDN’T Know - Holiday Special - Historian Bill Federer | FOC SPECIAL Show
51K7 -
3:10:46
Ellie_roe
8 hours agoEllie and Errys Halloween Spooktacular || Random Horror Games
24.2K1 -
50:27
Sarah Westall
9 hours agoBig Banks Caught Rigging Market, IMF tells World to “Buckle Up” w/ Andy Schectman
43.6K19 -
13:54
Degenerate Jay
16 hours ago $1.15 earned5 Best Superhero Movies To Watch On Halloween
22.9K5 -
59:03
NAG Podcast
9 hours agoSarah Fields: BOLDTALK W/Angela Belcamino
39.4K9 -
1:21:41
Glenn Greenwald
12 hours agoGlenn Takes Your Questions: On the Argentina Bailout, Money in Politics, and More; Plus: Journalist Jasper Nathaniel on Brutality and Settler Attacks in the West Bank | SYSTEM UPDATE #541
92K47 -
3:10:08
Barry Cunningham
9 hours agoPRESIDENT TRUMP TO USE NUCLEAR OPTION? FOOD STAMPS END! | SHUTDOWN DAY 31
55.6K45 -
1:06:56
BonginoReport
17 hours agoThe Battle Between Good & Evil w/ Demonologist Rick Hansen - Hayley Caronia (Ep.168)
105K39