Page 217 - Atlas Of The World's Strangest Animals

SEA ANEMONE 217

this large and diverse group, some anemone have found Clownfishes have such a famous association with
that there are advantages to working with others. Both anemone that they’ve become known as anemonefishes.
species of Isosicyonis, for instance, live in a symbiotic Twenty-seven species in the genus Amphiprion and one
relationship with hermit crabs.These odd crustaceans have species of Premmas live within the anemones’ toxic
long, soft bodies, which they protect from predators using tentacles.A combination of the fish’s movements and
an empty, salvaged sea shell.Amazingly, Isosicyonis attach chemicals in the mucus coat that covers their bodies
themselves to the outside of the crabs’ shell.This provides prevents the anemones’ stinging cells from attacking them.
the crab with superb defensive armour and makes the It’s a mutual defence pact. Clownfish gain a deadly ally and
anemone more mobile. Sea anemone often spend their they, in turn, prevent the anemone being eaten by
entire lives in the same spot, waiting for prey to pass by. butterflyfish.Without the anemone, clownfishes quickly
They can move if they need to, but it’s a slow process. By succumb to predators, and it’s been suggested that they’re
hitching a lift, Isosicyonis can not only feed on the crabs’ so reliant on this relationship they couldn’t survive
leftovers but any prey it encounters as the crab wanders. without it.

Comparisons

The order Actiniariare contains around 6500 species of anemone. Isosicyonis
These colourful creatures can be found throughout the oceans but are
at their most plentiful in shallow, tropical waters.They vary wildly in
size, shape and colour – some are even fluorescent! The beadlet
anemone (Actinia equina), shown here, is common around British
waters while Isosicyonis alba is found around the Antarctic, southern
Atlantic and southern Chile.

Actinia

The ‘harpoon’ injects a poison,which paralyzes the little fish Once digested, the remains of its victim are disposed of via
and drags it inexorably towards the anemone’s open mouth. the sea anemone’s only orifice – its mouth.

(c) 2011 Marshall Cavendish. All Rights Reserved.