That bright fish hiding in the anemone? That"s the spine-cheeked anemonefish, or the maroon clownfish, and it is not just a cute creature. Native to the Indo-Pacific, from western Indonesia to Taiwan and the Great Barrier Reef, this species lives on the edges of coral reefs. This fish is easily distinguished by the spine extending from each cheek—hence the name. Groups of spine-cheeked anemonefish form around a single dominant female, and if she disappears, the top male steps up—literally changing sex to take her place. It thrives in warm, shallow waters and sticks close to its chosen sea anemone.
Spine-cheeked anemonefish
Today in History
More Desktop Wallpapers:
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A sea of humanity
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Sharks, just living their lives
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Polar bear season in Manitoba
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Coral Reef Awareness Week
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Lets protect our turtles
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What are they celebrating?
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New Years Eve in Ottawa
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Diamond Beach, Iceland
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Happy World Water Day!
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Amber Fort, Amer, Jaipur, Rajasthan, India
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The city of Osaka at night, Japan
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Reflecting its stylish past today
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Heavenly hot springs
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Gulf Islands National Seashore, Florida, USA
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Porto Flavia, Sulcis-Iglesiente, Sardinia, Italy
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Aýna, Albacete, Spain
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Dinosaur Provincial Park
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Happy International Astronomy Day!
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More of a moustache than a beard?
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World Hippo Day, a giant celebration
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Turkey Tail Mushroom
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The Roaches ridge in the Peak District, England
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Milky Way over Southwest Alentejo and Vicentine Coast Natural Park
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God’s Own Country
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International Day of Light
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Silvereyes
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Go fly a kite!
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Tulips, Netherlands
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Chasing summer in the art world
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Minnesota State Capitol, St. Paul, Minnesota, United States