Anemone Fishes
61cm x 43cm
Cobra oils on textured board
There are 28 different species of anemone fish and they all share the the same feature of white or coloured bands and grow to a maximum length of 18cm.
Anemone fishes are all born male but they are able to change sex. The largest and most dominant fish nesting in the sea anemone is female, but if she dies, one of the males will change sex and replace her. They are the only fishes that can withstand the deadly toxins of the anemone. They are covered in a mucus membrane that keeps them safe. The anemone benefits from the nutrients excreted by the fishes. This relationship is called symbiosis.
