All About the Pinecone Fish

12/5/2022

Discover this rather rare fish, the Pinecone Fish!

Where does his name, Monocentris Japonica, come from?

The pine conefish (Monocentris japonica), also known as the knightfish or crownfish, because of the armor-like scales that cover its body, and the port and starboard lighthouse fish, because it has a pair of bioluminescent organs that are reminiscent of the navigation lights on ships.

It should not be confused with the Cleidopus gloriamaris or Pineapple Fish. They are very similar but are not found in the same area. Cleidopus gloriamaris is bigger than the pinecone fish and lives deeper. The difference between these two aren't obvious. Your diving location is probably the best way to make the difference but I have noticed that the pinecone we have seen in Thailand and Myanmar waters is a lot brighter than its foreign counterparts.

From the book 'Reef Fish Identification Tropical pacific' by authors Gerald Allen, Roger Steene, Paul Humann, Ned Deloach , page 403

Where does Pinecone fish live?

It’s found in the tropical Indo-West Pacific Oceans, at depths between 2 and 100 m and can be found on both rocky and coral reefs. The fish is nocturnal and shelters in caves and under ledges during the day.

How to recognize it?

The Pinecone can measure up to 17 cm long. Its plump, round body is almost entirely covered with large, rough scales and sharp spines pointing backwards. The head is large, with mucous pits lined with rough ridges, and is armored with heavy bones. The snout is blunt and overhangs the wide mouth. The teeth are tiny and thin, present on the jaws.

There are two wells containing bioluminescent bacteria on the lower jaw, near the corners of the mouth, which are hidden when the mouth is closed. This photophore is green in young fish and becomes more red as they age. The first dorsal fin consists of 5 to 7 strong spines; the spines have no membrane and point alternately to the left and right. The second dorsal fin contains 12 soft rays.

What is his behavior?

Because of its small fins and rigid armor, the pineapple fish is a weak swimmer. A nocturnal species, it can be found inside caves and under rocky ledges during the day. At night, this species ventures onto the sandy flats to feed, using its light organs to illuminate small shrimp. The light can also be used to communicate with fellow shrimp. The pineapple's light is produced by symbiotic colonies of the bacterium Vibrio fishery inside its photophores. However, their luminescence fades within a few hours of being released.

The pineapple fish is moderately common in deep water, but due to its reticent nature, for some time after its initial discovery it was only known from specimens washed ashore by storms. While quite a rare encounter in the Andaman Sea, pineapple fish are regularly sighted in Thailand and Myanmar for the pleasure of scuba divers and underwater photographers.

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All about the magnificent Ribbon Eel

14/3/2022

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The Marine Drag Queen

ribbon eel the drag queen of the seas blog post

Scientific name : Rhinomuranea Quaesita

The ribbon Eel is the only member of its genus. Scientists thought for a long time that there were 3 types of ribbon eel, the black, the blue, and the yellow species. But now we know they form a unique species changing sex and colour during its lifespan!

1) ITS HABITAT

Ribbon eels can live up to 20 years, and can grow up to 1 meter long. The biggest individual observed measured 1,30 m.

You can find the Ribbon eel in sandy areas around reefs and lagoons of the Indo-Pacific Ocean. It can be found in very shallow waters down to 60m.
It usually stays in the same cave for months or even years and two individuals (usually adult males) can be seen sharing the same hole.

Adult male Ribbon Eel out of his hole blue yellow ribboneel underwatercreature snake

Ribbon Eels are rarely sighted out of their hole

2) ITS BEHAVIOR

The ribbon eel is a carnivore which preys on small fish and other animals that swim too close to their hole.

They can be generally observed poking their head out of their hole waiting to catch prey as it wanders past.

3) ITS COLORATION TELL ITS AGE AND GENDER

Ribbon eels are first males: black with a yellow dorsal fin

Maturing individuals become female : a blue and yellow ribbon eel

Yellow Ribbon Eels are older female, ready to find a mate

Every individual is born as male.
Juveniles and sub-adults are black with a yellow dorsal fin. When they reach adulthood, they keep the yellow fin but the body turns blue and starts developing female reproductive organs.
When they reach their full size, they turn into female and change their color to complete yellow.
They will then find a mate, lay their eggs, and die within a month.

Ribbon eel Larvae on a blackwater dive- Thailand 2022

It is due to their short lifespan that the female ribbon eels are rarely observed.

The ribbon is the only protandric
hermaphrodite eel, meaning they are capable of changing sex to female if there is a shortage of natural females in the environment.

Ever seen a Ribbon Eel Larvae? We regularly spot them on our blackwater dives!

Totally transparent, you would easily take them for a jelly of some sort before you see them swimming towards you with bright eyes!!

You can even see their tube gut (the stripe down the middle).

4) ITS MAJOR THREATS

.Did you know that the major threat of this species is the aquarium trade??

While writing this post, I found more websites giving advice about keeping the animal alive in captivity, or selling them, than information about the animal itself... Better to leave them in their natural habitat and observe them while scuba diving, don't you think...?

Come see them in Thailand and Myanmar while they are still around :)

Subscribe to our blog to learn more intersting facts about the wonderful Marine Life we have in Thailand.

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All about the Shaded Batfish - Platax Pinnatus

12/3/2022

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Platax Pinnatus, a colorful juvenile fish

The shaded Batfish... loved by divers, he is not so easy to observe in its juvenile form, which is drastically different from its adult form.

Why is it called Shaded Batfish?

Platax pinnatus, the red platax or shaded platax, is a species of marine fish of the family Ephippidae.

The origins of the scientific name:

Platax: from Greek [platos] = flat, wide
Pinnatus: from Latin [pinnatus] = which has wings, feathers, in connection with its long fins, especially in the juveniles.

Where do shaded batfish live?

Distribution of shaded batfish.

It is found in the Indo-Pacific and regularly sighted in the Andaman Sea, both in Thailand and Myanmar. Unfortunately, the juvenile stage of this species is the most stunning and only last a few months.
Its adult counterpart is less striking/ popular with underwater photographers.

How to recognize Platax Pinnatus? And at what stage of its life?

Small juveniles are black with a bright orange-red border around the body and fins; fins have a scalloped outline; they swim with exaggerated movements; small juveniles are thought to mimic similar-looking flatworms.

With age, a grey spot appears on its side, starting behind the pectoral fin; the dorsal and anal fins lengthen and become more pointed.

It is the beginning of its transformation from a black elongated juvenile to a round shaped grey adult.

adult shaded batfish

Once adult, two black bars appear at the level of the eyes and just before the pectoral fin. The dorsal and anal fins have elongated well and are yellowing a bit. Its body is now silver. It can reach the forty centimeters

Batfish reproduction

The sexes are separated and there is no sexual dimorphism. Platax pinnatus is ovuliparous and the fertilization is external, in open water. The larvae are pelagic a few days then undergo their last metamorphosis and the juvenile begins its life near the bottom.

There are several types of Batfish, the most commonly encountered in Thailand and Myanmar is the Platax teira, also known as longfin batfish or longfin spadefish, but surprisingly we do not often encounter their juveniles...

If the Platax Teira is not afraid about you, it is even curious, it's not the case of the Platax Pinnatus, which stays away from you.

READ ALSO...

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The hawksbill turtle: the critically endangered sea turtle

22/9/2021

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The hawksbill turtles, presentation of an endangered species...

While critically endangered, The Hawksbill Turtles are the most frequently encountered turtles on our cruises, today let's learn about hawk-billed turtle or Eretmochelys imbricata...

All Sea Turtles, are cold-blooded creatures, belonging to the reptile family, just like snakes, crocodiles or dinosaurs!

1. Where can you see Hawkbill turtles?
2. How to tell Hawkbill turtles from the others?
3. What do Hawksbill turtles eat?
4. Hawksbill turtle reproduction
5. Is the hawksbill turtle threatened?

Where can you see Hawkbill turtles?

Hawk-billed turtle, the only representative of the genus Eretmochelys, lives in the subtropical waters of the Atlantic Ocean, the Indian Ocean and the Pacific Ocean. It is therefore quite possible to cross it in the Andaman Sea, in the midst of coral reefs. In Thailand, they can be seen both in the North Andaman (Surin and Similan islands) and South Andaman.

Hawksbill turtles are amongst the smallest of the seven species of sea turtles. They measures between 76 and 89 cm and weighs an average of 40 to 69 kg.
As a migratory species, they have a wide range of habitats, from the open ocean to lagoons and even mangroves in estuaries. In the early stages of their lives, like other young sea turtles, they live a pelagic life, staying at sea until they mature enough to settle down.

Adult hawksbill turtles are mainly found in tropical coral reefs.

How to tell Hawkbill turtles from the others?

Hawksbill turtles and green turtles, are both commonly seen in the Andaman Sea and hard to tell them apart at first sight. Here are a few tips to differentiate them:

Hawkbill turtle VS green turtle: Sea turtle identification infographic

How to identify the Hawksbill turtle

Sea Turtle's face identification: Hawksbill VS Green turtle

Hawksbill turtles have a beak, while green turtles have a round face.

The hawksbill turtle has a hooked beak

The green turtle's beak is rounded

sea turtle identification, hawksbill head

Hawksbill turtle have 2 pairs of prefrontal scales

On top of their head, Hawkbills turtles have four little square in between their eye while green turtle have two. These squares are called prefrontale scales.

sea turtle identification, green turtle head

Green turtles have one pair of frontal scales

identify hawsbill turtle from the top of the head

Hawksbill turtles's nostrils are turned up

Green turtles's nostrils are a lot more forward

The turtle's nose is also a good differentiation factor: those of Hawksbills looks upward, on top of their beak while green turtle's nose is forward, on the front of their face. When looking at a tutle from the front you would see the green's nostrils a lot more.

Sea Turtle's Shell identification: Hawksbill VS Green turtle

The carapace of the sea turtles are also a good way to tell them appart. The shape of the green turtle is rounder with squales next to each other and a soft edge, while the hawksbill turtle is more hear-shaped with squales overlapping each other and the edge is serrated, like a saw.

Green turtle's shell has a soft edge and squales do not overlap

baby hawksbill on the left VS baby green turtle on the right

Hawksbill turtle shell has a serrated edge and squales overlap

Beautiful Hawkbill turtle by Franck Fogarolo

The carapace colour doesn't help identification but this carapace is serrated, means it is a Hawksbill

Sea Turtle's Flippers identification: Hawksbill VS Green turtle

It is not often easy to spot but Hawksbill turtles forelimbs have two claws on each fin, while green turtles only display one.

The second claw is fairly small though and hard to notice.

Hawksbill turtles front flippers identification

Hawksbill turtles have two claws on their front flippers

Hawksbill turtle VS Green turtle identification: belly shot

Green turtle Belly

Hawksbill turtle belly

If you have a photo of a turtle from bellow and you are trying to find out if it is a green or a Hawkbill turtle, the shape will be your best friend.
The Hawksbill turtle has a longer neck, and serrated carapace (looks closely in between the two back flipper) you may also see its beak!

What do Hawksbill turtles eat?

The hawksbill turtle is one of the few animals known to feed on sponges and is the only known spongivorous reptile. This diet make them very important to avoid sponges overtaking the reef.

Turtles do not have teeth, but a powerful jaw and a hooked beak allowing it to “tear” its prey.

Hawksbill turtle eating sponge on the reef

Hawksbill turtles are omnivorous, beside sponges, they can also feed on anemones and jellyfish, mollusks or sea urchins. Most of these are toxic but do not make them ill, it is however believed that their meat is poisonous to humans.

Small reminder: Turtles do not have teeth, but a powerful jaw and a hooked beak allowing it to “tear” its prey.

Hawksbill turtle reproduction

Like most sea turtles, Hawksbill live a solitary life meeting only for reproduction. This turtle mates and returns to the beach where it was born, every two or three years, to lay eggs...

The hawksbill turtle digs a hole in the sand at night where it lays more than a hundred eggs.
After about two months, these eggs will hatch. The little ones will then have to try to get back to the ocean quickly, at they risk of being eaten by birds or crabs!
Did you know? The temperature of the nest during the 60 days incubation will determine the sex of the litter! Cooler sand leads to more males hatching and vice versa.

Is the hawksbill turtle threatened?

Yes ! The hawk-billed turtle is now critically endangered. They are believed to be the most endangered of the seven species of sea turtle, with only approximately 8,000 nesting females left globally. Its beautiful carapace has been used by jewellers and for home decoration for thousands of years. Ghost fishing, by catch and sea trash are also a major treat to these gorgeous animals.

It is estimated that millions of hawksbill turtles died in the 20th century due to carapace trade. Additionally, hawk-billed turtle eggs are still eaten across the globe, and turtles themselves are killed for their flesh.

Plastic bag floating in the sea...

Not only do we destroy the reefs they feed on, but they cannot find a quiet beach to lay their eggs anymore and many sea turtles dye eating plastic.

It is estimated that one in two turtles has already eaten plastic, a plastic bag that floats in water can be easily identified as a jellyfish by the turtle but is a lot harder to digest...

You want to know more about Sea turtles?
Read this too

Green turtles have green flesh and other interesting facts about this wonderful sea turtle

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The corals of the Andaman Sea

8/9/2021

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Colourful fishes have always been a favorite to tropical sea divers but have you taken a closer look at the gorgeous coral species that inhabit the Andaman Sea?
Do you know what corals are? How coral grows to form the coral reefs (Planet earth largest living structures) and why they are so important for our planet?
Contrary to common beliefs, corals are animals, not plants and surely neither rocks!
What you see above is actually a group of animal living under the same roof... developing over time like any living thing.

How do coral reefs form?

Coral reefs release eggs and spermatozoa (gametes).
After fertilisation (meeting of a male and female gamete), a ciliated larva called planula is formed.
The larva will attach itself to a place favourable to its development and form a flat disc.
A polyp will form and then bud (each polyp secretes a hard exoskeleton, made up of calcium carbonate, as well as an internal limestone skeleton that remains in place even after the death of the animal), to give what we know today like coral.

The successive budding of the polyps makes it possible to continuously enlarge the coral colony which, over time, forms the reefs.

The reefs are therefore made up of colonies of polyp corals held together by calcium carbonates. Note that polyps alone could not live and reproduce without their symbiotic relationship with zooxanthellae algae. While the algae provides the animal with the necessary nutrients, the polyp releases carbon dioxide which allows the algae to develop and also to carry out photosynthesis which will give colour to corals in particular.

Here are the stages of the coral reef’s life cycle

Coral reef’s life cycle - coralworldvi.com

There are hundreds of species of corals! Most live in tropical seas with optimal conditions for their development: lots of light and a temperature between 25 and 30 ° C.

But then, how to differentiate coral species?

can you spot the stone fish on this nice coral reef?

The magnificent colours of the corals that we, divers, are lucky enough to admire, their shape or even their size allow them to be distinguished in particular.

Red, brown, yellow, green, blue, purple or even fluorescent ... the colour combinations of corals are infinite! Colours can often help divers distinguish one coral from another, but their shape is a better tell tail.

There are two main types of corals: Hard coral and Soft Coral

Hard coral species of the Andaman Sea

Hard coral are made of a rigid calcium carbonate (polyps' exoskeleton made out of limestone) and appear very much like rocks. When a polyp dies, their skeleton remains and new polyps grown on top of the last ones enlarging the coral one life at a time. Hence hard coral grows very slowly.
There are several categories of hard corals encountered in the Andaman Sea, each of these with many sub-categories and species.

Branching corals

Branching corals are made up of a multitude of branches often used as nurseries to keep the baby fish out of harmway.

Elkhorn & Staghorn Coral:

Elkhorn / Stahorn Corals resemble branched elk horns (Elkhorn corals) or deer (staghorn corals) which tend to protrude vertically with a large number of side branches.

Elkhorn / Stahorn Corals

Encrusting corals

Encrusting coral

Encrusting corals form a crust on a substrate by spreading over their surface and thus create a thin coloured layer.
This is the perfect place for christmas tree worms and encrusting shells to settle.

Foliose corals:

Growing outward and only attached to the reef from their center "trunk", Foliose corals are often compared to heads of lettuce.

Massive corals

With a very slow growth (from 0.5 to 4.5 cm / year), these round-shaped corals bummies constitute "the pillars" of most reefs, in the Andaman Sea and beyond! They can reach massive sizes like the multi million years bummies depicted bellow from the Burma Banks.

Massive corals

platygyr brain coral mussidae

Mushroom Corals

Mushroom corals are fairly solitary corals. They can be found on the sand and do not attach to other corals. Made up of a single polyp, mushroom coral can reach 25 cm in diameter.

Mushroom corals

Table corals

Table corals:

Table corals are easily recognisable thanks to their horizontal structure which gives them great stability and perfect hiding places for other animals of the Andaman Sea and a particularily appreciated nursery for butterfly fishes.

Bubble corals

Often mistaken for eggs, pollyps ressembles bubbles during the days which deflates at night to let the polyps feed. Despite their soft appearance, bubble corals have a "stony" structure and are hence classified as hard corals.

Bubble Coral, or Plerogyra sinuosa

Orange Cup coral

Another nocturnal coral with fleshy appearance, the orange cup coral is indeed a hard coral. It is classified as ahermatypic, because it doesn't contribute to building the reef.
In fact it is a pretty invasive specie which spread quickly favouring on rocky walls and chasing away sponges and hydroids.
The polyps retract during the day and "blooms" at night covering the wall with beautiful yellow
"flowers".
Next time you see them, make sure to look closely for the pretty yellow snails that feed from them.

Sun corals or orange cup coral

Cup corals are one of the most colourful hard coral specie on the Andaman Sea.

Soft Corals species in the Andaman Sea

Soft corals are easiest identified from hard coral because they do not have a hard skeleton. They also have 8 arms per polyp.

Carnation corals

Carnation corals are soft corals that love curants, their amazing vibrant colours make them some of the favorites for underwater photographers.

Richelieu Rock is famous for the purple coloured carnation coral that covers the best dive site in Thailand.

red whip coral in the front, bushy Carnation soft Coral behind and giant seafan in orange

Seafans

The Andaman Sea was gifted with several types of seafans, tall web-like fan structures in various colours. The most impressive is probably the Giant seafans (Anella mollis) which can reach 2 meters in diameter!

Giant seafan in the Andaman Sea

Why are corals important?

Not only are coral stunningly beautiful and giving the Andaman Sea its colours but they are so much more important than for background imagery!
1- coral feed small critters and fish that feed the bigger ones, no coral= no more fish!
2- 500 million people make a living from coral reefs: from fisheries to tourism
3- coral reefs can reduce waves by 95% and could save the coastline from the damaging effects of tsunamis and storms
4- Coral reefs are also the lung of our planet! Generating half of our planet's oxygen and absorbing about a third of the carbon dioxide generated from fossil fuels usage.

Coral reefs are in danger! Help us make them last longer!

Coral reefs have already been reduced by more than 50% and our generation might be the last one to witness one of our planet's greatest treasure before it disappear.

OUR ACTIONS now will determine if our children will see it too.

The Smiling Seahorse is commited to ocean preservation, when you go diving, make sure to chose and eco friendly operator to reduce your ecological footprint.

due to accelerating global warming, more and more corals no longer regenerate and see the entire reef die small little by little!

coral bleaching due to ocean warming is one of the many treats to coral reefs

The Smiling Seahorse's promises

to abides by Green fins principles
to encourage environmentally responsible diving practices
to reduce/ reuse/ recycle as much as we can, especially plastics
to offer reef friendly amenities: such as our refillable organic, reef-safe Soap, Shampoo and hair conditioner.
to ask all our employees to help in ocean conservation efforts
To support marine science research and clean up projects

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The wonderful garden eels: FAQ

27/8/2021

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Do you know garden eels? They are strange tropical fishes with serpentiform bodies and puffy faces with big eyes making them, overall … super cute.
They live in large colonies oscillating like whip coral in the currents and disappear like a mirage when you approach.
We will try in this blogpost to answer the question we most often get about these fish, in the form of a garden eel FAQ...

1. Who are the garden eels?
2. Why are they called “garden eels”?
3. Where do garden eels live?
4. How do they move?
5. What do garden eels feed on?
6. How do garden eel reproduce?
7. Are garden eels dangerous?
8. How do you take photo of garden eels?

Who are the garden eels?

Garden eels, together with congers make up the congridae family. The wonderful garden eel is a medium-sized fish, up to a maximum length of 40 cm. Its body has a circular shape with a diameter of about 10 mm. They dig a burrow with their tail, which they coat with mucus to avoid collapse.

Why are they called “garden eels”?

These small eels live in burrows on the sea floor and get their name from their practice of putting their heads off their burrows while most of their bodies remain hidden. As they tend to live in groups of up to a few hundred individuals, the many eel heads "growing" from the bottom of the sea resembles a plant garden.

Where do garden eels live?

Most eels live in the warm parts of the tropical oceans including the Andaman Sea. They can be observed from afar pocking out of "eel pits" in colonies on the sandy plains and slopes that border the coral reefs. They prefer areas swept by currents which bring them more nutrients. They burrow themselves in the sand, mud (or more rarely among the rocks). Unlike most eel species who are nocturnal, garden eels feed during the day and will retreat in their burrow at night.

How do garden eels move?

Although garden eels can swim freely, they prefer to bury themselves in the sand... once they are big enough to dig a hole and settle down they never leave home. The exception is during the mating season when they might come out to dig a new burrow closer to their partner...

What do garden eels feed on?

Feeding on zooplankton, garden eels catch their food drifting in the ocean current, they don't need to go far but just like plants growing higher to get more sunlight, they need to protrude from the floor to get more preys. And they do this all day! All garden eels in the colony facing the current ready for the next meal.

How do garden eel reproduce?

During mating, garden eels intertwine their upper halves, their tails remaining in their individual burrows.

Garden eels usually only leave their original burrows to get closer to their partners during the spawning season. If two males end up too close to each other, they can fight for the territory and neighboring females. During mating, garden eels intertwine their upper halves, their tails remaining in their individual burrows. Two eels can stay this way for hours during a single mating. Garden eels are pelagic spawners; they release fertilized eggs into the open water, which then float close to the surface with the current. When eggs hatch, juveniles swim freely (and get be seen on black water dives) until they grow large enough to create their own burrows.

(photo left from Pete Atkinson)

Are garden eels dangerous?

No, Garden eels are not dangerous. Their mouth is too small to bite you, they only eat zooplankton, remember? They have no venom, no spines, and very small tooth.
In fact, these little creatures are very shy and disappear underground when divers approach.

How do you take photo of garden eels?

Because they are so shy, it is very tricky to take photos of Garden eels. Some photographers had successful shots by holding their breath long enough… other use a remote control to get the close-up shots.
The photo below is from Pete Atkinson. When asked how he did it he answered: Habituation, patience and breath-holding: I lay on the sand and inched my way closer over about 30 mins. I would hold my breath whenever they appeared so I didn't scare them. Eventually they were so familiar with me being there they came out far enough for a few pictures. I was using a 105mm micro lens on a Nikon F4, with flash. When I breathed out they disappeared into their holes. You might be able to do this more easily with a rebreather…

Field of garden eels swaying with currents

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Enter the circus of the amazing clownfish family !

6/8/2021

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The Clown fish is an Anemone fish, a specialized type of damselfish.
The first magic trick that the clownfish is able to perform is its venom immunity: they have a special symbiosis relationship with their host anemone. Together, they realize, for your greatest pleasure, what is called a “symbiosis relationship”. Since the eggs are laid directly under its skirt, anemone fishes are immune to anemone's stingy tentacles from day 1. It is a mutually beneficial relationship in which the anemone can feed from the fish dejection while the fish gets shelter from lurking predators.

But the highlight of the show is probably its "transgender ability". All clownfish are born male with one female surrounded by a harem of smaller males. When the female leaves the group or dies, the larger male fish will become a female. Spoiler for the next episode: Nemo will never be able to have a little sister.

True Clownfish (Amphiprion percula) and False Clownfish (Amphiprion ocellaris)

False clown fish are actually the most common and well known clownfish and believe it or not but Nemo, the pixar animation's star, is not the real deal, he is a false Clownfish!
It is actually very difficult to differentiate the true from the False Clownfish, both are bright orange with white bands separated by black lines (which are slightly thinner in the false clownfish).
Both species can be found in the Andaman Sea of Thailand.

True clowfish

False Clown fish = Nemo

Saddle anemonefish, aka Tomato Clownfish - Amphiprion ephippium

Tomato clown fishes have an orange-red color and A. frenatus have a white vertical stripe behind the eye when they are young. The band disappears when they age and only black specks remain when they turn to females. There are several types of Tomato clownfish. Amphiprion ephippium, commonly known as Saddle anemonefish, is a medium-sized (5-10cm) anemonefish from the Tomato complex more common whendiving Myanmar.

Female tomato clownfish

Clark's Clownfish - Amphiprion clarkii

Clarks anemonefish are very distinct in look to the other anemonefish. They are a lot darker in colour with two white lines contrasted by an orange face, tail and fins.
I love clarks because they usually hover quite high over their anemone which make them easy to spot and also because they often live with anemone crabs.

Skunk Clownfish - Amphiprion akallopisos

Also quite easy to identify, the Skunk Clownfish is one of the smallest anemonefish (11cm) with a white band all along its back.

Where can you see Clownfishes and anemonefishes

Habitat :Clownfish are found in the Pacific and the Andaman Sea. Different clownfish favour different anemone types. Tomato clownfish like the pretty orange bubble tip anemone while it is more common to find the clark anemonefish in the shorter carpet like anemone.

What do clownfish eat?

Clownfish are omnivorous. They feed mainly on filamentous algae, planktonic copepods and benthic crustaceans.

Reproduction
When a female is ready to mate, the male will perform a courtship and the female will deposit 400 to 1,000 eggs on the rock next or under their anemone host. The male will immediately pass over the patch to fertilize the eggs and the couple will then protect them until they hatch, in about 6 to 11 days. Babies clownfish will then drift with the current until they are big enough to swim and find an anemone to settle in.

clark's anemonefish mama tending to her offsprings

Clownfish babies still in their eggs

Did you like this article ? Share It !
And fee free to read some more fun facts about the Andaman Sea inhabitants on our blog !

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<<Previous

Discover this rather rare fish, the Pinecone Fish!

Where does his name, Monocentris Japonica, come from?

Where does Pinecone fish live?

How to recognize it?

What is his behavior?

The Marine Drag Queen

1) ITS HABITAT

2) ITS BEHAVIOR

3) ITS COLORATION TELL ITS AGE AND GENDER

4) ITS MAJOR THREATS

Platax Pinnatus, a colorful juvenile fish

Why is it called Shaded Batfish?

Where do shaded batfish live?

How to recognize Platax Pinnatus? And at what stage of its life?

Batfish reproduction

Sea Turtle's face identification:​ Hawksbill VS Green turtle

Sea Turtle's Shell identification:​ ​Hawksbill VS Green turtle

Sea Turtle's Flippers identification:​ ​Hawksbill VS Green turtle

Hawksbill turtle VS Green turtle identification: belly shot

You want to know more about Sea turtles? Read this too ​Green turtles have green flesh and other interesting facts about this wonderful sea turtle

How do coral reefs form?

But then, how to differentiate coral species?

Hard coral species of the Andaman Sea

Branching corals

Elkhorn & Staghorn Coral:

Encrusting coral

Foliose corals:

Massive corals

Mushroom Corals

Table corals:

Bubble corals

Orange Cup coral

Soft Corals species in the Andaman Sea

Carnation corals

Seafans

Why are corals important?

Coral reefs are in danger! Help us make them last longer!

True Clownfish (Amphiprion percula) and False Clownfish (Amphiprion ocellaris)

Saddle anemonefish, aka Tomato Clownfish - Amphiprion ephippium

Clark's Clownfish - Amphiprion clarkii

Skunk Clownfish - Amphiprion akallopisos

Where can you see Clownfishes and anemonefishes

What do clownfish eat?

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Sea Turtle's face identification: Hawksbill VS Green turtle

Sea Turtle's Shell identification: Hawksbill VS Green turtle

Sea Turtle's Flippers identification: Hawksbill VS Green turtle

You want to know more about Sea turtles?
Read this too

Green turtles have green flesh and other interesting facts about this wonderful sea turtle