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Anemone Fish with Host

Anemones are common in Fijian waters and that allowed ample subjects to photograph. They usually grow in clusters and will have several anemone fish around whi...
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Anemones are common in Fijian waters and that allowed ample subjects to photograph. They usually grow in clusters and will have several anemone fish around which probably enhances reproduction. What is really amazing though that in nature there are nearly 1000 species of anemones but only 10 host anemone fish! There are 28 species of anemone fish and they will only find refuge with specific types of anemones in the wild. Another fact is how much we truly do not know about anemones.

This anemone is probably of the species Heteractis Crispa and has tentacles about 4 inches long and can grow to a diameter of about 20 inches. H. Crispa plays host to 14 different species of anemone fish. This particular anemone is close to that size and his hosting the Amphiprion barberi which is common in the Fijian Islands. This species was originally thought to be a variation of the Red and Black Anemone fish, but DNA testing showed it was a different species in 2008!
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