“… and today we’re talking about a funny little fish. But more on that later.”
They say the enemy of my enemy is my friend, but that might mean putting up with some prickly traits to band together against a common foe. The clown fish makes an alliance that requires a thick skin. But what do you expect from a small fish that carries a jester’s name through Life, Death, and Taxonomy.
Description
- Tiny, flashy, and doesn’t look like a clown at all (now the clown triggerfish, that’s a clown)
- Bright orange with three white bands, you know, how clowns always have three bands around their bodies.
- Has a cute little waddle-like swim that’s more wobbly than elegant
- Slimy, thanks to a thick mucus coat
- Big eyes that always look just a little too surprised
- No teeth, just a small mouth that seems permanently puckered
Measure Up
Welcome to the beloved Measure Up segment. The official listener’s favorite part of the show! The part of the show when we present the animal’s size and dimension in relatable terms through a quiz that’s fun for the whole family. It’s also the part of the show that’s introduced by you when you send in audio of yourself saying, singing, or chittering the words Measure Up into ldtaxonomy at gmail dot com.
Length
4 to 5 inches (10 to 13 centimeters)
- 5.7 quarters
- 12.5 ear lobe thicknesses
- 9.4 fish go into Zues, the tallest dog at the shoulder
Width
0.05 to 0.1 ounces (1.5 to 2.5 grams)
- Three Jelly Belly jelly beans
- 6,041 go into a Dalmatian pelican
- two go into a nickel
Fast Facts
- Range: Found in the warm, tropical waters of the Indo-Pacific, particularly around coral reefs
- Diet: Omnivorous—eats plankton, algae, and whatever else fits in its tiny mouth
- Social Life: Born as males, but the largest in a group can become female if the boss lady kicks the bucket (talk about a career change)
- Sounds: Can make popping and clicking noises, possibly to communicate
- Predators: Bigger fish, moray eels, and pretty much anything that doesn’t find its symbiotic anemone terrifying
Major Fact: Anemone of my Enemies
Clownfish have a fascinating relationship with sea anemones. They form a mutualistic symbiotic bond, which means both species benefit from each other. The clownfish gets protection from predators by living among the anemone’s venomous tentacles, which they are immune to.
In return, the clownfish provides the anemone with nutrients in the form of waste and helps keep the anemone clean by eating algae and other debris. This unique partnership is a great example of how different species can work together for mutual benefit.
Clownfish have a special adaptation that allows them to live safely among the venomous tentacles of sea anemones. When a clownfish first encounters a sea anemone, it performs a “dance” by gently touching the tentacles with different parts of its body.
This process helps the clownfish build up immunity to the anemone’s stings. Over time, the clownfish develops a protective layer of mucus on its skin, which prevents the anemone’s stinging cells (nematocysts) from discharging.
This unique adaptation allows the clownfish to find shelter and protection from predators while providing benefits to the sea anemone. Their partnership is a remarkable example of mutualism in the marine world.
Ending: So stay vibrant, put those hurtful clown stereotypes to rest, and find a nice cluster of venomous tentacles to call home like the clownfish here in LDT.