Peacock Clownfish

Amphiprion ocellaris

Range

• Pacific ocean that ranges from northwestern Australia, southeastern Asia, and as far north as the Ryukyu Islands of Japan

Habitat

• Oceans, sea anemones

Diet

• The fish eat parasites and fan the water around the anemone

All clownfish start as male but as they move up the social hierarchy they grow larger and may turn into a female. Each group of clownfish will have one female who is the largest, most dominant fish.

These brightly colored fish are known to live in and around sea anemones where they form a symbiotic relationship with the anemones. It provides shelter and protection while the clownfish cleans the anemone and removes parasites found living on the anemone.