Clownfish living in two anemone species develop their stripes at different rates (IMAGE)

Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology (OIST) Graduate University

Clownfish living in two anemone species develop their stripes at different rates

Caption

During metamorphosis, the clownfish, Amphiprion percula, turns a vibrant orange and develops three white bars in succession, from head to tail. The rate at which the bars form depends on the sea anemone that the clownfish live in. Clownfish living in the long-tentacled anemone, Heteractis magnifica, (left) have fewer stripes than clownfish of the same age and size living in the shorter, carpet-style anemone, Stichodactyla gigantea (right). The image shows the typical appearance of clownfish aged 150-200 days.

Credit

Fiona Lee, Academia Sinica, Taiwan

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