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Australia Clown Fish

2010-P Proof Silver Fifty Cent

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This Clown Fish piece was released in 2010 as part of the Perth mint's Sea Life series. The series celebrates some of Australia's most unique reef dwelling species. The reverse of this particular coin features a coloured depiction of the Clown Fish with the legend 'AUSTRALIAN SEA LIFE - THE REEF' and 'CLOWN FISH'. The obverse houses the Ian Rank-Broadley portrait of HM Queen Elizabeth II with the legend 'ELIZABETH II - AUSTRALIA - 50 CENTS - 1/2 OZ 999 SILVER - 2010.'

The Clown Fish, also known as the anemone fish, is a small fish found in the warmer waters of the Indian and Pacific Oceans. There are nearly thirty species that vary in size and colour. Most are an impressive orange with white stripes bordered by black. The fish has an interesting relationship with sea anemones which are tentacled animals that generally attach themselves to hard surfaces. Most fish that touch an anemone are stung and eaten but the Clown Fish is able to pass through unharmed. How the Clownfish is able to do this is argued however it seems to slowly cover itself in anemone mucus which works as a protective covering. The relationship is mutually beneficial as the clown fish can hide within anemone from predators while also defending the anemone from species capable of harming it. (Reef Biosearch, 2013)