: clown fish
Among scientists and aquarists, clownfish are also known as anemonefish because they can't survive without a host anemone, whose stinging tentacles protect them and their developing eggs from intruders.—James Prosek, National Geographic, January 2010 Dozens of members of the large tropical family of damselfish, or demoiselles, live on the Great Barrier Reef. They include several species of anemone fish, which grow to about 12 centimetres and are usually orange, with one or more broad vertical white stripes.—Nick Drayson, Australian Geographic, July–September 1990
Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share