Queerness in Nature

We’ve learned about clownfish or anemonefish because of the movie Finding Nemo. They are quite easy to find – all you have to do is spot a sea anemone when you dive or snorkel.

This particular species is called Tomato clownfish (Amphiprion frenatus) and is known to be closely associated with Bubble-tip sea anemone (Entacmaea quadricolor) like this one in the video. And although grouped under the same subfamily Amphiprioninae, this species is larger and is differently hued than False clownfish (Amphiprion ocellaris), the one shown in the movie. This species is characterized by a single white stripe with a black outline that runs from the cheeks and joins over the head. They are mostly bright red-orange with the females being more darkly colored.

There are at least 30 species of clownfish and all have a symbiotic relationship with anemones. The fish “feeds” and drives away predators from the anemone in exchange for safety and additional nutrients from the latter (among many other benefits from both ends). 

Another interesting fact about anemonefishes is that they can change their sex when needed! All individuals are born male, while the most dominant switches to being female and is the largest in the group. This phenomenon called sex reversal is not unique to anemonefishes; this also occurs in wrasses, parrotfishes, and many other species. Some start out as all females and switch to males, while some are bidirectional hermaphrodites where individuals, depending on environmental cues or circumstances, can switch to the sex that is more convenient at the time.

This last bit of info may sound new to many but sex and role reversals happen to other animal groups, too. We know that the web of life is stronger and survives in diversity and nature does not conform to any set boundaries.

#Sexuality
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Text and video by Zoology Division

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