Clownfish disappear among the tentacles of a large anemone. Their shelter is a living predator, anchored where light and moving water meet.
- Local names
- Pa’i Pa’i Pu’a
- Habitat
- Lagoon and reef
About this species
The magnificent sea anemone can shelter groups of clownfish; the guide records groups of up to a dozen. Chemical cues help fish recognise their host. Finger-like tentacles can reach about 8 cm, with colours described in the source from orange to salmon.
Stinging cells help capture prey and can irritate skin. The anemone fixes itself to hard surfaces in bright, well-flushed water, with the guide giving a depth range of roughly 5–20 m. Alongside hunting, it receives food produced by symbiotic algae in its tissues.
