Clownfish or Anemonefish are fishes from the subfamily Amphiprioninae in the family Pomacentridae. Clownfish are very active and often seen doing various forms of acrobatics. It often seems to be clowning around. This observation was how its nickname was derived.

Most clownfish are found either in or around Sea Anemones. There are 30 different species of Clownfish. Clownfish can vary in color and can also differ in shape.

Clownfish recently were popularized for a generation of children by the movie Finding Nemo.

Clownfish use the Anemone to help protect them from predators. Other living creatures cannot get close without getting stung by the Anemone. Clownfish have a coat of mucus that protects from the Sea Anemon’s sting via innate or acquired immunity.

All Clownfish are born male and some of them will develop female reproductive organs. They are only about an average 4 inches long but some of them can grow up to 7 inches long.

Clownfish and Sea Anemones have a symbiotic mutualistic relationship, each providing a number of benefits to the other. The reproductive cycle of Clownfish is often correlated with the lunar cycle. Clownfish live in small family groups composed of mating couple and their offspring. Clownfish consume algae, plankton, crustaceans, and small fish.

Clownfish are territorial and will fiercely defend its home against other clownfish. Almost all fertilized egg of clownfish will hatch and reach adulthood. Number of clownfish is high and their population is stable.

The video above was shot using a Gopro Hero 4 Silver (1080P, 60fps, -0.5EV) with Backscatter filters and a Sealife video strobes. Edited with FCPX. Images were shot during scuba diving safari around the Raja Ampat Islands in Indonesia.