If a few years ago the clownfish was not very well known, the movie "Finding Nemo" has made it popular. These fish, belonging to the genus Amphiprion, are known for their intense orange color crossed by white stripes, making them a very colorful specimen of the coral reefs that inhabit the Pacific and Indian Oceans.
Popular as an aquarium fish, life in the wild is very different from what it leads in captivity, producing variations in different aspects of its behavior, such as mating and reproduction. If you are interested in knowing how is the natural reproduction of clownfish, continue reading this article on our site.
Clownfish morphology
The first thing you should know is that the clownfish have a peculiarity and that is that they are hermaphrodites protàndricos, that is, they are born with both male and female sexual organs. At first, all specimens are male but can become female when the occasion calls for it.
Clownfish society is based on a matriarchy: they gather in small groups occupying the same anemone, which is their home, and where the mandate is carried by a female of great size and bellicose behavior. She is followed in the hierarchy by a smaller male, the only one with the right to participate in the reproductive ritual. The rest of the school is made up of smaller males.
The curious thing is that, when the female dies or is expelled for some reason, the larger male initiates a sex-change processwhich makes it the alpha female, and another of the males that live in that anemone, the one with the most dominant and aggressive behavior, takes over its previous position. That way, when the situation calls for it, any of the small males can transform into an alpha female, all they have to do is wait their turn in the hierarchy.
This whole process ensures the chances of reproduction, a cycle that begins when the water temperature rises.
Anemone selection
Before laying the eggs, the female and male select a suitable place to lay, which is usually at the base of a anemone or even in a coral. Clowns prefer to live in anemones because their tentacles are stinging (which do not affect them), thus keeping predators at bay while camouflaging themselves in them. In return, they protect the anemone from any invaders.
When selecting the place, the couple begins a quite exhaustive cleaning ritual, eliminating any remaining algae, retracting the anemone with bites if necessary, and if it has a slightly hollow space on its surface, much better.
The fish spend hours and if necessary a few days preparing the site that will become the nest, and violently chase away to anyone who approaches, even if the animal in question has no intention regarding the nest.
Spawning Ritual
A few hours after finishing the cleaning of the nest, the spawning ritual begins. Clown fish fertilization is external, ie the female drops the eggs into the anemone area she has cleared and after thisthe male fertilizes them
Spawning usually occurs at noon. Before releasing the eggs, the female inspects the place chosen for it over and over again. The nervousness of both fish increases during this process, until the female finally drops her eggs so that the male can do her job.
There are between 300 and 500 eggs, which adhere to the surface of the anemone by means of a filament. It will take a maximum of 10 days for the eggs to hatch and give way to hundreds of fry.
Egg Watch
During the development of the embryos, the work of the parents is not finished. Especially the male, who will stay close to the nest, double his vigilance against possible intruders The level of aggressiveness increases, even harassing other animals so that they change their course on their own for being a short distance from the nest.
The father will also be in charge of cleaning the eggs, sweeping them with his tail and devouring those that have rotted so they don't contaminate to the rest. This stage is very stressful for the parents but fortunately it does not last long, because in a few days the fry will be ready to hatch.
Hatching Clownfish Eggs
The eggs will always hatch at night hours to reduce the risk of being attacked by predators, on the tenth day. The nervousness of the parents will also contribute to the hatching, as they begin to flap their fins between the eggs. If necessary, they will help many to hatch by sucking on the shells.
Upon hatching the fry will emergeimmediately from the nest to begin clownfish feeding, consisting mainly of algae or plankton. After 7 days, they will leave the nest and the parents to join their own group of Clownfish. All fry born will be male and only those who prove to be the fiercest after joining a group will become female.
How is the clown fish born?
It is very likely that you are interested in learning more about the process of clownfish reproduction, which is why we wanted to share the video with you Craig Taverner from his YouTube channel where he shows you how clownfish are born in an incredible sequence of images:
Latest Discoveries
Although hermaphroditism is very common in fish that live in corals, experts have been intrigued by how clownfish change sex and what factors contribute to this transformation. Above all, what is most striking is that the clown is capable of changing sex in sequence, that is, all the specimens are candidates to change sex when it's your turn.
Recently, scientists from Kaust, a university in Saudi Arabia, have discovered part of the mechanism that the clown uses to restore "order" in his social group, and it is through genetic manipulation of his sexual hormones.
When the female disappears from the group, the male's brain sends signals to the sexual organs to prepare for the change. If it is the male chosen to become a female, the body will begin to release the aromatase enzyme, responsible for the increase in the level of estrogens
Thanks to the effect of aromatase, the fish's testicles shrink and the ovaries develop, giving way to a female in a very short time. In conclusion, it is the environmental factors and the change in the social stability of the group that stimulate the change of sex.
Also discover on our site the clownfish care.
