Clownfish Research Paper

Corals are tiny immobile animals that live in colonies, where each cluster is called a polyp. Different species build structures of various sizes and shapes, such as brain or fan coral, creating a diverse and complex ecosystem (EPA 2000). Nearly all reef-dwelling corals have a symbiotic (mutually beneficial) relationship with the algae, which live inside the coral polyps and perform photosynthesis, a process that produces food that is shared with the coral (Fagoonee 1999). In addition, the algae share its

Coral reefs exist all over the world and are generally known as being one of the most diverse, intricate and beautiful of all existing marine habitats. They have many varying structures which are developed by algae and are symbiotic with various reef building corals which are referred to as, zooxanthellae (algae). There are many other factors such as, coralline algae, sponges and other various organisms that are combined with a number of cementation processes which also contribute to reef growth, (CORAL REEFS, 2015).

Coral reefs are the most biodiverse ecosystem on the planet. There are more than 25,000 known species of organisms and countless others that have yet to be identified (Helvarg, 2000). Reefs thrive on the shallow edge of tropical seas, most often on the eastern edge of continents along warm water currents that brush the coasts. Reefs cannot live in cold waters and are limited by ocean depth and available sunlight. Coral is the foundation of the reef community, providing a three-dimensional structure where thousands of species of vertebrates and invertebrates live and feed. Some species of coral are hard, while others soft. Some are branched, yet others are compact and rounded. Coral is made up of large

My species is the Ocellaris Clownfish! This is the one that looks like Nemo on Finding Nemo. Its body is an oval shape and has three vertical white stripes outlined with a fine black line. They are saltwater fish and live in an anemone. They live in a core habitat. They have symbiotic relationship with the sea anemone. The anemone gets pesits it doesn't want living on it off of it, and the clown fish gets protection from the tentacles of the anemone. Young clownfish have difficulty finding an anemone to live in. The young clownfish begins at the bottom of the social ladder when it enters an anemone. It is often the victim of aggression by other clownfish. Clownfish are a very social group. They like to live in colonies.There are two types of

First, I am going to talk about the importance of coral reefs. Coral reefs are some of the most diverse and valuable ecosystems on Earth. They are home to 4,000 species of fish, 800 species of hard coral, and hundreds of other species. Scientists believe that there are another 1 to 8 million unidentified species (NOAA). According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, new drugs are being developed from

Oyster reefs, giant populations of oysters, provide habitats for many other types of organisms such as worms, snails, sea squirts, sponges, small crabs, and fishes.

There are many different types of reefs but the most common type of reef is the Fringing Reef. There are also many different types of species that live in this reef. There are tons of different species of fish that live in large groups and come in all different colors. Although, the two main groups of fish that live in this reef are vertebrates and invertebrates. Among the different types of vertebrates living in this reef includes Fish, Sea Snakes, Sea Turtles, Dugongs, and Manatees. These are the only fish that usually swim in large groups. Among the coral reef the invertebrates, which is the most common group of different types of living in this reef, are the constructors and

"Ocean Ecosystems, Ocean Animals, Ocean Life -- Smithsonian Institution | Ocean Portal | Smithsonian." Ocean Portal. N.p., n.d. Web. 26 Mar. 2013

There are many sea creatures live in our ocean. One of the cool animals is the starfish. Starfish are found nearly all marine environments. A lot of the species of starfish include Arctic Cookie, Blood Star, Bat Star, Crested Star. These animals are one of the most noticeable and attractive creatures in the world. They are free-living organisms that have a unique flat body.

They are by far the most numerous and diverse. Fish are critical to the health of a coral reef. The physical structure of a coral reef is very different from that of the surrounding open ocean. Therefore, fish that reside in these reefs must have evolved many specialized traits that allow them to flourish in that environment. Reef fish bodies differ in many ways from most other fishes. These animals dwell on coral reefs and therefore have evolved thin, flat bodies that can easily be maneuvered to make the necessary sharp turns. Furthermore, the pectoral and pelvic fins positioning enhances the functionality of the pancake-like

Coral reefs are massive structures made of limestone that is deposited by living things. Although thousands of species inhabit coral reefs, only a fraction produce the limestone that builds the reef. The most important reef building organisms are

Animals in coral reefs use it as a stopping point as they travel through the deep blue sea but most of the time they use it as a home. The corals in a coral reef are abundant animals. This corals are tiny organism called polyps, which attach themselves to the reef and will live their forever. Animals in a coral reef include: sea stars, fish,

Cnidarians (or coelenterates), including sea anemones, jellyfish, and corals, are built mostly of sheets of cells, and they exploit the large surface area of the

The life in a coral reef is made up of plankton, crustaceans, sharks, water mammals, nudibranchs (also known as sea snails), sea snakes, which are one of the most poisonous animals, and over 4,000 different species of fish. One fourth of all marine fish species live in and around coral reefs. Every single creature that lives in coral reefs plays a huge part in how they function. If even one species died, others would suffer as well. For example, if the algae and seaweed died, then the plant eating fish would as well. Some fish that you would commonly find on a reef are:

     Coral animals begin life as free-floating larvae, but settle on the sea floor in sedentary colonies. The term "coral" applies both to these animals and to their skeletons, particularly the skeletons of stone-like corals (Discover 1997).