Part I.

Species Information

Scientific Name: ​Premnas biaculeatus​ (Bloch, 1790)

Description:

The natural color of this fish is pale red, having three perpendicular white stripes on the body.
Upon attaining full growth, however, when it is from four to five inches long, it becomes almost black,
and the stripes are very nearly obliterated.
Dorsal X, 17; pectoral ii, 16; ventral I,5; anal II, 14; total length 23.5mm; standard length 16.6
mm.
P. biaculeatus is commonly known as 'Spine-Cheek Anemonefish' because of the presence of a
pair of long spines on its pre-operculum. Their most striking bright red to maroon colouration on entire
body and fin, demarcated abruptly with white to golden yellow narrow bands make them as one of the
most attractive species among the marine ornamental clown fishes. And the adults have 3 bright
golden stripes, whereas all the juveniles possess white strip

Distribution:

When speaking of the distribution of the ​Premnas biaculeatus​, the research article of Madhu
states “P. biaculeatus has a wide distribution from Indo-Malayan Archipelago to northern Queensland.
In India, this species is abundant in the coral reef ecosystem of Andaman and Nicobar Islands
situated in Bay of Bengal.” Although the species is not limited to these areas alone. According to the
Global Biodiversity Information Facility these are also where the clownfish resides, ​Andaman Sea and
Indonesia east to Philippines and Vanuatu , north to Sabah (Malaysia), south to Queensland (Australia).

Figures of Descriptive Work:

Chemical Contributions:

The clownfish and sea anemone carry a special relationship wherein only the clownfish is able to
reside in the sea anemone and the clownfish allows the sea anemone to breathe; this kind of
relationship can be classified as a mutualistic relationship. To be more specific, the clownfish is able to
reside in the sea anemone due to a mucus that coats their body, this mucus can be either innate or
developed over time. Due to this unique interaction, it is only given that there must be chemical
compounds that allow the clownfish to remain unharmed by the sea anemone’s nematocysts. In
another species of clownfish (​Amphiprion ocellaris​), that is also found along the coasts of the Philippines,
their mucus lacks ​N-Acetylneuraminic acid (Neu5a or NANA), which is a trigger compound for the sea
anemone (​Hetractis magnifica) t​ o release its toxins, allowing the fish to reside peacefully in the sea
anemone.

Retrieved from: Wikipedia.com

​ olecular Geometry of N
M ​ -Acetylneuraminic acid

However, the absence of a specific compound is not the only way the clownfish is able to bypass
the sea anemone’s defense mechanism. The presence of a compound can also be the reason for the
fish’s immunity towards the sea anemone. According to some researchers, the presence of radiolabeled
amino acids immunizes the clownfish to the sea anemone; however, this is obtained when the clownfish
kisses the sea anemone’s tentacles or rubs its body.

Another chemical phenomena that happens between the clownfish and the sea anemone is how
the clownfish allows the sea anemone to breathe as well as fertilize the sea anemone with their
ammonia rich urine. The sea anemone is able to respire better with the clownfish because of the fish’s
constant movements that allow the water to circulate better in between tentacles. On the other hand,
the urine of the clownfish acts as a supplement for the algae that grows on the sea anemone. The algae
eats the ammonia and releases sugar which is eaten by the sea anemone.

Retrieved from: Wikipedia.com

Different forms of ammonia
PART II. Catalogs or Checklists

References:

Brumfield, B. & Tech, G. (2018, December 17). Bacteria Swap May Save Clownfish From Killer Anemones.
Retrieved from https://www.futurity.org/clownfish-bacteria-anemones-1935002/

Elliot, J., Mariscal, R. N. & Roux, K. H. (2003, August 7) Mucus Coat Protects from Sea Anemone : Atlantic
Wreckfish. Retrieved from
https://asknature.org/strategy/mucus-coat-protects-from-sea-anemone/

Fautin, D. G. (1990, July 28). The Anemonefish Symbiosis: What is Known and What is Not. Retrieved
from
https://dalspace.library.dal.ca/bitstream/handle/10222/77098/VOLUME%2010-NUMBERS%201,
2,3-1991-PAGE%2023.pdf?sequence=1

K., Madhu & Madhu, Rema & Gopakumar, G & Sasidharan, C. (2006). Breeding, larval rearing and seed
production of maroon clown Premnas biaculeatus under captive conditions.

Robert, F. (1957). ​Report on a collection of marine fishes from North Borneo​, 36(3), 357. Retrieved from
Biodiversity Heritage Library.

Yong, E. (2013, February 27). Clownship Help Their Anemones Breathe at Night. Retrieved from
https://www.nationalgeographic.com/science/phenomena/2013/02/27/clownfish-help-their-an
emones-to-breathe-at-night

Zoological Society of London. (1869, January 1). Proceedings of the Zoological Society of London.
Retrieved from https://www.biodiversitylibrary.org/page/28663135#page/1/mode/1up
Part I. Species Information

Scientific Name: ​Macrodactyla doreensis​ (Quoy & Gaimard, 1833)

Description:

PEDAL DISC. Circular and buried in sand/mud substrate. COLUMN. 150 mm length and distal
length is flared. Wider than the Pedal disc. Color is usually gray with splotches of orange. ORAL DISC.
Central lipped mouth, sometimes on an elevated cone. TENTACLES. Mauve tentacle tips with grey to
pink color and may have white longitudinal streak. Tentacles are sparse with length of 50-100 mm. Can
be curled or coiled. Tentacles are concentrated around the margin of the oral disc.

Distribution:

Japan, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, Hawaii, Northern and Eastern Australia

Figures of Descriptive Work:

Part II. Catalogs or Checklists

References:

Fautin, D. G., Crowther, A. L., & Wallace, C. C. (2008). Sea anemones (Cnidaria: Anthozoa: Actiniaria) of
Moreton Bay, 54, 49–50. Retrieved from Memoirs of the Queensland Museum.