# What Do Clownfish Eat?

> What clownfish eat: Omnivore, foraging style, and seasonal shifts in Coral reefs of the Indo-Pacific.

- **Species:** Clownfish (*Amphiprion ocellaris*)
- **Conservation status:** Least Concern
- **Diet:** Omnivore
- **Habitat:** Coral reefs of the Indo-Pacific
- **Lifespan:** 6–10 years
- **Top speed:** Slow; stays near its anemone
- **Canonical HTML:** https://globalanimalguide.org/animals/clownfish/what-do-clownfish-eat/
- **Parent profile:** https://globalanimalguide.org/animals/clownfish/
- **Last reviewed:** 2026-07-16

## Quick answer

The clownfish, or anemonefish, is a small, brightly colored reef fish famous for living safely among the stinging tentacles of sea anemones, protected by a special mucus coating. Made famous by the film Finding Nemo, clownfish form a partnership with their anemone that benefits both. All clownfish are born male and can change sex, and they typically live 6 to 10 years.

## Who should skip this page

Skip this if you need a captive feeding plan from a veterinarian. This page is wild diet, not a pet-care sheet.

## A partnership with anemones

Clownfish live among the venomous tentacles of sea anemones, which sting most other fish. A layer of special mucus on the clownfish's skin protects it from the stings, so the anemone becomes a safe home and shelter from predators. In return, the clownfish drives off intruders, cleans the anemone, and its waste helps feed it.

## Help protect the Clownfish

Ocean wildlife is under mounting pressure from overfishing, bycatch and plastic pollution.

[Donate to wildlife protection](https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/donate/)

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Source: Global Animal Guide (https://globalanimalguide.org/animals/clownfish/what-do-clownfish-eat/). Licensed CC BY-NC 4.0 — free for non-commercial reuse with attribution.