18032. ANEMONEFISH SYMBIOSIS. This paper is concerned with the symbiotic relationship between anemonefish (also known as clownfish) and various species of sea anemone. Specifically, the paper examines the evidence from research experiments relating to the question of why anemonefish are not stung by the toxic tentacles of the sea anemone. Researchers agree that the fish are protected by a mucous coat, but there continues to be a debate over whether this coat is acquired genetically or through acclimation behaviors. The paper also discusses the role of chemical cues in the fish recognizing their host anemone, as well as the importance of "specificity" in the effort to understand relationships between specific types of anemonefish and specific types of sea anemone. Two tables are included in the paper's text, which summarize data from two of the studies discussed. KEYWORDS: clownfish anemonefish sea anemone symbiosis. Written 2006. APA Style. 25 pages, 47 footnotes, 18 bibliographic sources. 6,468 words.