Clownfish and their symbiotic relationships in a Barrier Reef Marine Aquarium

Clownfish, also known as anemonefish, are a captivating species of fish that have gained worldwide recognition thanks to their unique partnership with sea anemones. These small, brightly-colored fish are native to coral reefs in the Pacific and Indian oceans, where they coexist with specific species of anemones.

The symbiosis between clownfish and their anemone partners is a model of mutualistic systems in the “wild” natural world. Anemones offer protection to the clownfish, who would otherwise be prey to the dangers in the area, from capture of threats by the stinging tentacles of the anemone. The clownfish, on the other hand, return the anemone with food in the form of nutrient rich leftover meals from themselves and with anowedging them from other predator fish around the anemone.

This symbiotic association is nearly true such that the clownfish barely venture from the host anemone. They will swim through the tentacles of the anemone using them as a form of refuge and as a means of location within the reef. As a result the anemone, in turn, also receives the benefits of the food supplied by the clownfish which, in turn, promote the growth and reproduction of the anemone.
In an aquarium context it is also possible to model this symbiotic interaction between clownfish and anemones. Nevertheless, the important point is to say that not all species of anemones will be able to harbour clownfishes, and not all clown fishes will find symbiotic relationship with anemones. Before trying to reproduce this type of association in an aquarium, it is important to study, in particular, the species of clownfish and anemones which are actually involved in this relationship.
Other than anemones clownfish can also establish symbiosis with other types of corals in the aquarium. For example, some populations of clownfish will establish commensal relationship with bubble-tip anemone, which is a coral species that looks like anemone. People will also develop relationships with other kinds of coral, e.g., with mushroom corals, etc.

In these associations, the clownfish will exploit the coral as a source of shelter and protection, and the coral, in return, will offer the clownfish a feeding incentive in the form of bits of the food scraps from their feeding regimens. In a few instances, the clownfish can also assist the coral to ward off potentially attacking other fish.

Clownfish are interesting fish that have evolved selﬁsh symbiotic relationships with various other animals in the wild and in aquariums. With proper environment and careful management of water quality, a thriving ecosystem can be established in the marine aquarium in which clownfish and other species can evolve individual and valuable symbiotic communities.