How do nems know they are hosting a clown?

  • Thread starter Thread starter Steph1
  • Start date Start date
  • Tagged users Tagged users None

Steph1

Active Member
View Badges
Joined
Jul 25, 2020
Messages
449
Reaction score
569
Location
Australia
What state or country do you live in
Australia
Rating - 0%
0   0   0
I think we all know about the symbiotic relationship between the anenome and clowns.
But how does the anenome know it is a clown that they are hosting and not another species that the nem would otherwise sting and eat. What signal does the anenome get that it is a clown smuggling up to them? Is it chemical, behavioural..............?
 
I found this very interesting, it seems the clowns become invisable to the anenome:
Interestingly, even clownfish that are innately protected exhibit this “acclimation behavior.” After initial contact, they acquire antigens from the anemone they have encountered. It has been proposed that these antigens serve as a type of “chemical camouflage” for the fish. With the acquisition of these antigens, the anemone is no longer able to distinguish between itself and the clownfish. The result is that the anenome no longer reacts to the fish by stinging.

This summary was contributed by Alexis Dean.

Source: https://asknature.org/strategy/mucus-coat-protects-from-sea-anemone/
 

WHEN YOU SEE A REEF2REEF POLL, WHAT’S YOUR USUAL MOVE?

  • Vote right away, then head to the comments

    Votes: 10 45.5%
  • Read the comments first...then decide what I think

    Votes: 0 0.0%
  • Vote and explain my choice in the comments

    Votes: 2 9.1%
  • Dude, I just vote...I don't care about the comments

    Votes: 9 40.9%
  • Vote, then come back later to see how it turned out

    Votes: 0 0.0%
  • Pick “Other” because my opinion is too nuanced to fit any of your simpleton boxes

    Votes: 1 4.5%
  • I usually read the comments but exercise my right not to vote

    Votes: 0 0.0%
  • I always get excited about Daniel’s daily polls, obviously 😎

    Votes: 2 9.1%
  • Other (Post in the comments)

    Votes: 2 9.1%
Back
Top
Home
Post thread…
Market
What's new