Clown Fish’s Dance Accelerate Growth of The Anemones

The interaction between clown fish or Nemo fish and anemones alleged only benefit one party. However, it turns out the allegations were false.

The results of a recent study conducted by researchers of marine biology Auburn University in Alabama, USA, found that the interaction between the clown fish and anemone is a two-way interaction,

Previously, it was believed that the interaction, clown fish a place to stay and a place to hide. Clown fish to hide from predators, fish, baracuda, while anemones himself did not gain anything.

In recent studies, it is known that the movement like dance of clown fish benefit the anemone, to help breathing.

"This is the first time we managed to reveal that in fact help the clown fish and sea anemones to breathe aerating himself," Chadwick said as quoted by LiveScience, Wednesday (02/27/2013).

The relationship was revealed after the team conducted laboratory experiments with fish and anemones are drawn from the Red Sea near Aqaba, Jordan.

Researchers put two animals in a separate aquarium to see the amount of oxygen usage of each species. Then, they put together to measure the total use of oxygen when they are together, simultaneously recording the interaction between the two.

Apparently, the total use of oxygen when the animals are brought together exceed the total amount of oxygen that they use when separated. These results only show up when they interact with each other and touching each other.

When Nemo 'dancing', fin and tail movements will create water circulation for the anemone. Thus, anemones get more oxygen which will increase metabolism and growth.

In the end, the faster growth of anemones perceived benefits as well by a clown fish. The fish had a larger shelter. The results of this study published in the Journal of Experimental Biology on Wednesday.