8 Tropical Fish

World Book's Learning Ladders Tropical Fish

该页暂无翻译

The tropics Many different kinds of fish live in the sea in parts of the world called the tropics. The tropics are a warm area near the equator. The equator is an imaginary line that goes around the middle of Earth. There are rain forests on the land and coral reefs in the ocean in the tropics. The fish that live in the tropics are called tropical fish. The northern edge of the tropics is an imaginary line called the Tropic of Cancer, The equator divides Earth in half. The southern edge of the tropics is an imaginary line called the Tropic of Capricorn.

Many fish and other animals in the tropics live in coral reefs. These reefs are like underwater cities where fish swim among the coral (rocky structures formed by millions of tiny animals). Coral grows in many colors, shapes, and sizes. It's a fact! Some coral reefs are dying because the sea water is getting warmer. We can help protect the reefs by not damaging the air, water, and land around us.

Clownfish Colorful clownfish live around sea anemones in coral reefs. A sea anemone is a kind of sea animal that looks like a plant. Clownfish are found in the warm waters of the Pacific and Indian oceans. The largest clownfish grow from 4 to 6 1/2 inches (10 to 17 centimeters) long. Clownfish are partners with sea anemones. The anemone uses its feelers to sting other animals. But the feelers do not hurt the clownfish. Staying close to the anemone protects the clownfish from being eaten by other sea animals. In return, the clownfish helps clean the anemone. Clownfish have a bright orange body with white stripes outlined in black.

A coating on the clownfish's skin protects the fish from being stung by a sea anemone. It's a fact! Clownfish can scare away other animals by slamming their teeth together!