Exploring the Black Storm Clownfish

When choosing fish, it is important to consider their relationships and characteristics to create a harmonious environment. This time, I would like to focus on our Black Storm Clownfish at home.

The Black Storm Clownfish is a lively fish with distinctive black and white patterns, purchased in pairs. This variety emerged from spontaneous mutations due to selective breeding and is currently gaining popularity. Normally, clownfish have orange bodies with white patterns bordered in black.

Clownfish inhabit tropical seas, with coral reef areas being their main habitat. Their preferences and adaptability stem from this environment. These areas provide ample hiding spots among rocks and crevices, as well as abundant feeding grounds, offering a safe environment. Shallow coastal waters are also their habitat, where they roam among corals and rocks.

Clownfish prefer warm and stable water temperatures, with a range of 25 to 28 degrees Celsius being ideal. High water clarity is also one of their habitat preferences, and waters in coral reef areas are generally transparent. Additionally, clownfish have a strong territorial instinct, preferring environments with rocks, decorations, and hiding spots in aquariums. This allows them to secure their territory and protect themselves from other fish or external stimuli.

The individuals we welcomed into our home look very similar, but each has distinct patterns. To easily distinguish them when discussing fish as a family and with affection, we named them. One is called "Tenten," and the other is called "Kyonshee." These names were taken from characters in a Taiwanese drama I watched as a child called "Come Come Jiangshi." or “Come Come Kyonshi” In the drama, Tenten was a girl who, despite being young, wielded excellent magical skills and stood up to Kyonshee, who were vampire-like monsters from Taiwanese folklore. Kyonshee wore black clothing from the Qing Dynasty with a white face and sucked human blood while moving around. They also had to obey a Taoist priest when a talisman was affixed to their forehead. The black and white patterns of the Black Storm Clownfish seemed lifeless at first glance, but that's why I felt these names were perfect. Contrary to their appearance, they are actually friendly and curious, lively eaters. They are truly adorable.

You can distinguish Tenten from Kyonshee by the fact that Tenten has striped patterns on its pectoral fins and is slightly larger in size. On the other hand, Kyonshee has large round black patterns on its pectoral fins and is slightly smaller.

I have never seen our clownfish swim while hiding among rocks, nor have I seen them swim against the current. In the first month or two, they used to swim happily together near the top in the middle of the aquarium. They floated underwater together like butterflies dancing. However, Tenten gradually began to show gestures like headbutting Kyonshee. This behavior escalated, and they moved to a corner of the tank, where the aggressive behavior continued for about a month. While they used to enjoy eating, they mostly stopped eating after the attacks began. So, I made sure to sink the food to that corner to give them a chance to eat. This aggressive behavior of the clownfish seems to be a normal phenomenon during their growth process.

Clownfish are all male in their juvenile stage, but they may transition to female as they grow. When keeping clownfish as a pair like in our home, one may become female while the other remains male.

Clownfish form small groups among anemones or corals, with the largest and strongest individual becoming female. The second largest and strongest Crownfish becomes a sexually mature male and mates with this female, responsible for reproduction. The remaining males do not engage in breeding behavior and may undergo sex change when the female dies. In this process, the sexually mature male becomes female, and the next clownfish in line transitions to become a sexually mature male, ensuring the continuation of the breeding cycle within the group. Sex change can take from weeks to months.

Sex change in clownfish is unidirectional, from male to female. Once an individual becomes female, it cannot revert to being male.

During this period, observing the one being attacked made me feel sorry for it, but we decided to observe until their genders were determined. It seems that this period is coming to an end now. Despite being aggressive all the time, one day, it was as if the two were swimming together near the top of the tank. Tenten swims ahead while Kyonshee swims behind. Tenten attacks if Kyonshee comes even slightly to the side. There are no signs of injuries from the attacks, and their food intake has increased.

Let's also touch upon the symbiotic relationship between clownfish and anemones.

Anemones as hiding spots:

Clownfish like to hide in crevices of rocks or corals, and anemones inhabit these places, providing good hiding spots. This is an essential element for clownfish to protect themselves from external threats and to act with confidence.

Unique territories and guarding behavior:

Clownfish form territories centered around anemones and drive away other fish that intrude into their area. While anemones have defense mechanisms such as venomous stinging cells with needle-like appendages and retractable tentacles, they are attractive prey for many fish. By protecting their territories, clownfish prevent anemones from being preyed upon, thus maintaining a symbiotic relationship.

Relationship with feeding:

Clownfish contribute to the health of anemones by eating parasites or debris attached to their tentacles. Anemones can derive nutrients from leftover food or excrement from clownfish. By symbiotically coexisting, both parties can efficiently obtain nutrients and increase their chances of survival.

Beauty of symbiosis:

Anemones often have beautiful colors and patterns, contributing to the beautiful scenery of coral reefs when symbiotically interacting with clownfish. This is an attractive aspect for both aquariums and fish enthusiasts.

While clownfish protect themselves by symbiotically coexisting with anemones in nature, it seems that they can be kept without anemones in aquariums.

Rearing Black Storm Clownfish offers a valuable experience of observing their beautiful appearance and intriguing behavior, along with the symbiotic relationship with anemones. Watching these fish build a stable environment in the tank and grow while supporting each other evokes the beauty of nature and the wonder of life.