Clown Fish |
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Clown FishIt seems everyone wants to know more about these bright little fish after watching the adventures of Nemo and his father Marlin. Globally, the clown fish is found from the Red Sea across to the Central Pacific, and is concentrated around the Indo-Pacific area; clown fish lives in warm, shallow tropical seas from a depth of three to thirty feet. The most common clown fish - and the one that looks most like Nemo - is the percula clown fish which is bright orange with white stripes. Recently, clown fish have become extremely popular as saltwater aquarium fish. Juvenile clownfish will not survive for long without the protection of an anemone, and few find one before being eaten. The most common anemone to act as host to the clown fish is the large stoichactis species. The clown fish is best known for its ability to come in contact with the stinging tentacles of the sea anemone, and not be harmed. Not only are the clown fish not harmed by the anemone, they live among the sea anemone and use its tentacles as protection from enemies. Clown fish don't seem to mind the danger, and the anemone they co-habit with appears to enjoy their company as well. The anemone is required in nature because reef life is dangerous for small, brightly colored fish with very poor swimming abilities; in an aquarium lacking predators it is not needed. Clown fish grow to a maximum size of approximately 5 inches, and they live in temperatures from 75-79 degrees F. Clown fish are omnivorous, their diets range from flakes to meat. Clown fish are recognized by their orange scales with black and white stripes. Clown fish belong to the same family of damselfish. Clown fish produce a special mucous coating that protects them from the anemone's poisonous, stinging tentacles. With the booming popularity of clown fish in recent years, many local governments have imposed restrictions on the number of the clown fish that can be taken from their habitats and the means by which they can be taken. Because clownfish are a big attraction with snorkelers and scuba divers, the tourist industry has an interest in protecting them and ensuring that they are allowed to live and breed safely on the reefs. Stumble It! • Submit To Netscape • del.icio.us • Y! MyWeb |
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