Gazelle : The Palestinian Biological Bulletin (ISSN 0178 – 6288) . Number 150, June 2017, pp. 1-29. | Page 8

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stinging tentacles. Clownfish become immune to the sting of the anemone's
tentacles. Feeding is another benefit; the clownfish gets to snack on the remnants
of any meal the anemone has captured. The clownfish will also perform
housekeeping duties by removing pieces of detritus picked up from the substrate.
It is also thought that the anemone is nourished by the waste of the clownfish
(Animal World).
Host anemones the Oman Clownfish is known to associated with:
o
o
o

Bubble Tip Anemone Entacmaea quadricolor
Magnificent Sea Anemone, Ritteri Anemone Heteractis magnifica
Sebae Anemone Heteractis crispa

They may also associate with these clown-hosting anemones:
o
o

Beaded Sea Anemone Heteractis aurora
Merten‟s Carpet Anemone Stichodactyla mertensi

Be cautious adding Condy Anemones Condylactis gigantea. These are very mobile,
predatory anemones, and are not a “clown hosting anemone”. Their sting is
much stronger than clown hosting anemones, and there is a risk to the clownfish
who is foolish enough to engage it may eventually be eaten. Many who have had
clowns hosted by Condylactis have said, “one day the clownfish was gone, and I
kept the anemone well fed!” (Animal World).

Sex: Sexual differences
The female is usually much larger than the male (Animal World).

Breeding and Reproduction
Though many clown fish species are now being captive bred, the Oman
Anemonefish has not yet been reported to have been bred in captivity. No record
for aquaculture at any laboratory is known. Similar to others in the Clarkii
complex, they will spawn when the water temperature is 74° or higher. Although
they will spawn between 72° - 88° F (26° - 28° C), it has been demonstrated that
the best quality eggs and larvae happens when the temperature is 79° - 83° F (26°
- 28° C) (Animal World).
Three to five days before spawning, courtship begins when the female spurs the
male into biting at the substrate in increasing frequency and intensity as the big
day draws closer. During this time the female belly swells with eggs. Clownfish
Gazelle : The Palestinian Biological Bulletin – Number 150 – June 2017