Clownfish Anemone
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Buddy picture
The ocellaris clownfish is a common component of a colorful coral reef scene, usually sharing the shot with its symbiotic sidekick, the sea anemone. Thanks to a special mucus layer on its skin, the clownfish is immune to the normally stinging anemone, which provides the fish shelter in exchange for food scraps, parasite cleanup, and a little muscle to ward off anemone-hungry butterflyfish. While stripey orange is certainly the most widely known clownfish coloration (we're looking at you, Nemo), ocellaris clownfish also appear in a sleek black and white, as well as a spotty, splotchy pattern popularly called the Picasso.
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