Clownfish can smell their way back home: Who knew?
Posted August 30th, 2008 by Ryan
Clownfish are borne they spend about 10 to 12 days in sea, carried by prevailing currents. How do they always return back home to the area in which they were borne? They sniff for leaves that fall into the sea from rainforests growing on the islands near their coral reef homes. Interesting too is the scientists also tested clownfish that were born and raised in an aquarium, and had never lived on the reefs or the open sea. These were strongly attracted to the scents of leaves and anemones as well, suggesting these preferences are innate.
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