Where do clownfish live in Australia?
Clownfish, or anemonefish, live among sea anemones on coral reefs in northern Australia, including the Great Barrier Reef and Ningaloo Reef. They were made famous by the film Finding Nemo.
Clownfish shelter between the stinging tentacles of host anemones. A layer of mucus on their skin protects them from stings. In return, the fish clean the anemone, chase away fish that might eat it and provide nutrients through their waste.
Australia has several anemonefish species, including the orange clownfish, which is the species that inspired Finding Nemo, and the pink anemonefish and Clark's anemonefish.
Changing sex
All clownfish are born male. In each anemone, the largest fish is the breeding female and the next largest the breeding male. If the female dies, the male changes sex and becomes the new female.
Snorkellers can see clownfish on reefs such as those around Lady Elliot Island and Low Isles.
Coral bleaching can also bleach anemones, threatening clownfish homes, and studies have shown that clownfish living in bleached anemones are more stressed and produce fewer eggs. Collecting clownfish for the aquarium trade is regulated in Australia, and many aquarium clownfish are now bred in captivity.
Did You Know?
After Finding Nemo was released in 2003, demand for clownfish as pets rose sharply.