Percula Clownfish

Percula Clownfish
The Percula Clownfish has a scientific name of Amphiprion percula and so is referred to as "A. percula Clownfish." Names count here because there are hundreds of types of clownfish. So hang on to "percula," and as you do that, realize that it is the TRUE Clownfish. This actually only means that it has 10 dorsal spines instead of the 11 as on the FALSE and that it probably was discovered before the "false" one. Scientific and lay terminology is a rich mix here. The clownfish in the aquarium might be very docile and it can survive without the anemone in captivity. But the jumping and darting of the A. Percula Clownfish among the anemone in the sea is not clowning around. It's very serious work involving protection of the anemone and luring in the prey. And we'll tell you the interesting story about that.

Immunity Toward the Sea Anemone's Toxins
The A. percula Clownfish live with the anemone which are living creatures, usually attached to coral reefs or even anchored in sand. The anemones are predatory animals named after the anemone, a terrestrial flower. The clownfish (anemonefish) are not harmed by the stinging tentacles of the sea anemone. They use its tentacles as protection from enemies. They lure in other sea creatures to feed the anemone. It's a perfect example of two different species of the animal kingdom living off of each other. In ecology, it's called "commensalism" where one benefits and the other is not significantly harmed or helped. The English word derives from the Latin com mensa, meaning "sharing a table." Larva of the percula clownfish use chemical cues released from the anemones to identify the appropriate host species to use for shelter and protection. The anemone helps the anenomefish by using its venomous tentacles to give the fish protection from predators. There are two hypotheses (1) that the mucus secreted by the anemonefish prevents the anemone from discharging its lethal sting of toxins, including neurotoxins, which paralyze, and (2) that the A. percula has acquired immunity toward the sea anemone's toxins. If anemones are attacked, they can release from the substrate and swim away to a new location using flexing motions.

Male to Female Changes
The A. percula has a size-based hierarchy and the female is the largest. If the female dies the male changes sex and becomes the breeding female. The largest male will suppress the size development of the next smallest male and the cycle continues until the smallest fish is evicted from the host anemone. The A. percula is typically orange in color with three white bars and jet black margins around the bars. Its habitats are New Guinea, New Britain, New Ireland, Solomon Islands, and Vanuatu.

Clownfish Prices
The global trade in marine ornamentals has a current estimated sales value at US $200 to $330 million, and the USA accounts for 80% of the imports. The value of the anemone is on average five times the value of the anemonefish. The fish range from $50.00 to $270.00 each. Aquarium fishing significantly impacts the anemone populations and also the anemonefish by drastic numbers.

Now you really must feel that you're contributing to global ecology by having a virtual aquarium. Why don't you go over and search MoodTank for the A. percula clownfish by pressing the button. Remember, one second for ON, ten seconds for OFF.

We hope you've enjoyed this particular bit of virtual reality, and have once again been impressed by nature.