Population expansion of the invasive Pomacentridae Chromis ...
Orange Clownfish. Taxonomy Kingdom – Animalia Phylum – Chordata Class – Actinopterygii Order...
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Transcript of Orange Clownfish. Taxonomy Kingdom – Animalia Phylum – Chordata Class – Actinopterygii Order...
Orange Clownfish
Taxonomy
• Kingdom – Animalia
• Phylum – Chordata
• Class – Actinopterygii
• Order – Perciformes
• Family – Pomacentridae
• Genus – Amphiprion
• Species – Percula
Biology
• The Orange clownfish is one of 27 species of clownfish.
• Each of the species has different orange white and black markings.
• The orange clownfish has 3 white bands.– One white band just behind the eye– One band right down the middle of the fish– One band the Caudal (back) fin.
Biology
• Live in groups that use size hierarchy to determine dominance.
• There is no visual difference between males and females of the species.
Biology
• The orange clownfish (as well as all other clownfish species) is found associated with sea anemone. (type of Cnidarian)
Biology
• Orange clownfish live in groups of 4-6 with one female and 5 males.
• In the group the female is dominant.
• Dominance is determined by size. The dominant female is the largest of the group, followed by the dominant male, then followed by other members of the group.
Reproduction
• Clownfish reproduce sexually.
• Only the dominant male and female of the group breed. The other members do not.
• All fish born are born male.
Reproduction
• If the breeding female dies the breeding male will change sexes and become a breeding female.
• When the breeding male changes the next largest male (who wasn’t allowed to breed) becomes the breeding male.
• Actual breeding is done in the sea anemone by broadcast spawning (nesting).
Size
• The orange clownfish can be as large as 11cm (5.5 inches) but the species average is 8cm (4 inches).
• Size is determined by the hierarchy.
• Female is the largest, who limits the size of the breeding male, who limits the size of the male below him….
Habitat
• The orange clownfish (and all other species) are specialized to live in coral reef.
• Found in warmer waters in the Pacific and Indian oceans.– Great barrier reef
Australia
Habitat
• The clownfish live within an anemone (Cnidarian).
• Symbiotic relationships– Anemone provide protection – Clownfish feeds, removes
wastes and oxygenates the anemone
• They use the anemone for protection from predators as they are not very good or fast swimmers.
How can it live in an Anemone
• Theory 1: A mucus secreted by the skin of the clownfish is thought to protect it against the nematocysts of the anemone. Preventing them from firing.
• Theory 2: The fish has acquired an immunity to the toxins of the sea anemone.
Food
• The clownfish is an opportunity feeder.
• They eat small crustaceans, plankton, and organic matter (plants and animal waste).
In the Movies• The 2003 movie Finding
Nemo orange made clownfish very popular.
• Movie inaccuracies based on biology.– Nemo’s father was the
breeding male, who should have turned female when the mother was eaten by barracuda
– Marlin’s companion throughout the move is actually a predator of the clownfish.
Video
• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hyYW0mr-e7k
• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8rSlA_ywEec
• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PZl8cQW384k&feature=related
• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bza-PpfEcOk&feature=endscreen&NR=1