Frequently Asked Questions
Why don't anemonefishes get stung?
Hi there,
I'm trying to track down some info for a client, - how do clown fish protect themselves against the poisons from sea anemones? What are the protective barrier properties in their skin?
David Lucas
Dear David,
Thank you for your enquiry about the clownfishes/anemonefishes. According to Allen (1980), they are "protected from possible stings by a special substance which is present in their external mucous covering. This substance does not actually protect them from the stinging cells. Instead, it lowers the threshold of nematocyst discharge. In other words, it prevents the stinging cells from "firing"." (more information)
It then points out that the stinging cells are not in fact deadly to most intruders, only the large anemones are capable of killing very small fishes (less than 0.8cm). Most other fishes suffer only localised damage, and are able to free themselves from the tentacles. The tentacles are rather a deterrent to would-be predators of the anemonefish, and act in capturing the plankton that is the anemone's main food source (not fishes being lured to the anemone by the anemonefish, as is commonly believed).
I hope this answers your question.
Regards,
Ondine Evans
Information Officer
search & discover
Further reading
- Allen, G.R. 1980. The Anemonefishes of the World: Species, Care and Breeding. Aquarium Systems. Pp. 104.
