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14.18: Symbiotic Relationships

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    • Contributed by Miracosta Oceanography 101
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    Symbiotic Relationships

    • Mutualism: benefits both host and symbiont.
      • Example: Anemone and the anemone fish; fish cleans and feeds anemone, stays with anemone for protection – fish can’t be stung (clown fish) (Figure 14.29)
    • Commensalisms: no effect on host, benefits symbiont.
      • Example: Shark and pilot fish (pilot fish eats leftovers). Or barnacles attached to a humpback whale (Figure 14.30).
    • Parasitism: Harms host, benefits symbiont.
      • Examples: Parasites in tuna. Humans catching and eating tuna (with parasites).
    Clown fish on a sea anenome Barnacles on a humpback whale
    Figure 14.29. Clown fish living in a mutual relationship with a sea anemone. Figure 14.30. Barnacles attached to a humpback whale.