Tomato Clownfish

Lives with sea anemones

Tomato clownfish live together with sea anemones, and the two animals benefit each other. This kind of relationship is known as symbiosis. They protect each other from predators. The tomato clownfish defends the anemone and keeps it clean, and it is in turn protected by the anemone’s venomous tentacles. Tomato clownfish are coated in a special mucus that protects them from the venom. The fish and the anemone can also eat scraps from each other’s meals.

Females in charge

Tomato clownfish live in small groups in coral reefs, usually close to sea anemones. The group only includes one female; she is the largest fish and has the highest rank. The largest male is her partner, usually for life. The dominant female interferes with her male partner so much that he cannot grow as large as her.

The male, in turn, shows the same behaviour towards younger fish in the group, making it impossible for them to grow large. Only the dominant pair reproduce. The female lays her eggs on a stone close to the sea anemone, and the male defends them until they hatch. The fry then search for an anemone of their own to live in. 

Born male

All tomato clownfish are born, and develop, as males. The only way for a new female to develop is when the old female for some reason disappears. The largest male then changes sex and becomes a dominant female. The largest of the younger fish becomes the new dominant male.