Question

10.What type of symbiotic relationship do clownfish and anemones exhibit; mutualism, commensalism, or parasitism? Explain.

11. How are clown fishes protected from the paralyzing sting of the anemones?

Answer 1

10. Clown fish and sea anemone (cnidaria) exhibit symbiotic relationship called mutualism (+/+ interaction). It is the kind of relationship between two species of organisms in which both benefit. Both of these are marine species. The clown fishe's diet consist of algae, zooplankton etc, while sea anemone feed on fish, shrimp, plankton etc. Clown fish lay their egg in the substratum provided by sea anemone. Sea anemone provide food and protection to clown fish. Clown fish eat remains of the food eaten by sea anemone. Clown fish help sea anemone to get its prey,in return. Sea anemone protect clown fish from its predators. As the clown fish is bright in colour, it attract other fishes into the tentacles of the anemone, which is killed by poisonous tentacles of anemone. Fecus of clown fish help better growth of sea anemone. Clown fish help in keeping the sea anemones clean by eating the dead tentacles the sea anemone has lost, that keep parasites away. Sea anemone get a better ventilation and water circulation as the clown fish fan their fins while swimming. Thus both of the species are mutually benefitted.

Anemones - Clownfish relationship can be interpreted as commensalism (+/0), a symbiotic relationship in which one species provide protection for other vulnerable species (clown fish get protected from predators.

11. The clown fish is living inside tentacles of anemone. This tentacle has the ability to discharge stinging cells (nematocysts). The presence of a slimy mucus covering of clown fish protect them from sea anemone tentacle.The mucus layer is 2-3 times thicker than other fishes and it can be (research is undergoing) the mucus secreted by both the species to provide protection to clown fish. Thus the mucus layer provide protection to clon fish from paralyzing sting of anemone..