Nemo...Fame, Celebrity and Pushing Social Limits Under the Sea!
We’ve been snorkeling almost everyday here in French Polynesia, trying to find new, secret spots to explore with our guests. Although there are plenty of fascinating fish to catch our attention, the clownfish in particular has me intrigued. Most of you know clownfish because they reached celebrity status after the movie Nemo became a hit. Well, it’s not all fun, games, and red carpets for this cute little fish. The more I’ve studied the clownfish, the more I realize they are much more than meets the eye!
Clownfish are considered “anemonefish”, so-named for the sea anemones inside which they make their home. Anytime you see a clownfish, they will never be far from a beautiful white and pink sea anemone. To protect themselves from the stinging poisonous tentacles of the anemone, the clownfish has a mucus membrane that protects the surface of their bodies. They have a symbiotic relationship: the anemone provides protection from predators (and some may say paparazzi!) while the clownfish drops left-over food particles for the anemone to eat.
Sexually, clownfish are intriguing. They are hermaphrodites, which means they have or possess the potential of having both male and female reproductive systems. Depending on the circumstances, they have the ability to change sex. While are all born as males, they can turn female when needed for reproduction and leadership status. I don’t know if they think long and hard before changing their sex. Once, they turn female, there is no going back. Clownfish live in small groups led by a dominant female, with a dominant male as second in command. If the female dies, the dominant male will become a female to replace her. Surprisingly for fish, clownfish are monogamous. The males also make great partners! The males will happily build nests for the female to deposit her eggs and will also help incubate them by sitting on the eggs.
So, as you can see, there is a lot going on for these cute, precocious little fish. A good reminder that sometimes fame and fortune are well-deserved ;)
To discover new and amazing things, please join us here in French Polynesia, where offering unique and extraordinary experiences is our everyday pursuit!