Where does this come from, and can I check it?

A thick sugar-protein coating prevents anemone nematocysts from firing. The figure is taken from Smithsonian Ocean, which is linked in full on this page. Every fact on Mondo Knows names its source rather than repeating an unsourced claim.

Is this really a animals fact?

Yes. It sits on the Animals shelf, one of 1,090 sourced facts grouped into space, animals, the human body, history, science and more. Category pages collect every fact in the same field.

What else can I read about it?

The links under the fact point to a quiz, game, puzzle or calculator on the same subject, and the shelf below shows related facts. The wording here is original, and quoted phrases are marked as quotations.

Mondo Knows Facts

Clownfish coat themselves in mucus to avoid anemone stings

A thick sugar-protein coating prevents anemone nematocysts from firing.

Sea anemone tentacles are lined with microscopic stinging capsules that inject toxins into passing fish. Clownfish acclimate by brushing against tentacles to build up a thick layer of anemone mucus, disguising themselves so the anemone fails to recognize them as prey.

Where this comes from

Smithsonian Ocean

Facts that can change over time are reviewed and updated. If something here looks wrong, Mondo would rather know than be confidently incorrect.

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Tags: clownfish, anemone, symbiosis

Clownfish coat themselves in mucus to avoid anemone stings: the short answers

Where does this come from, and can I check it?: A thick sugar-protein coating prevents anemone nematocysts from firing. The figure is taken from Smithsonian Ocean, which is linked in full on this page. Every fact on Mondo Knows names its source rather than repeating an unsourced claim.
Is this really a animals fact?: Yes. It sits on the Animals shelf, one of 1,090 sourced facts grouped into space, animals, the human body, history, science and more. Category pages collect every fact in the same field.
What else can I read about it?: The links under the fact point to a quiz, game, puzzle or calculator on the same subject, and the shelf below shows related facts. The wording here is original, and quoted phrases are marked as quotations.