Baby Nemos to find new home at Daydream Island

Male clownfish nurturing the eggs

Daydream Island Resort and Spa in the tropical Whitsundays is getting ready to welcome its first set of baby ‘Nemos’ to the world.

Daydream’s marine biologists have discovered that one of the resort’s six clownfish pairs have laid its first batch of eggs in the Nemoville Lagoon in the iconic Living Reef attraction. The clownfish pair will guard the eggs until they hatch within the next 10 days.

The clownfish, known for its striped orange and white appearance, is often referred to as ‘Nemo’ after the main character of the popular Disney animated film, Finding Nemo.

“With the sea temperatures slowly increasing, many species of fish have begun spawning and sights like this will become more common,” said Living Reef Manager John Gaskell.

“It is great to see that the animals in the Living Reef on Daydream Island are healthy and happy enough in their environment to reproduce.”

Clownfish are monogamous, choosing one partner for life. When the conditions are right and as the water temperature warms up, the male will prepare an area suitable for the female to lay her eggs. The nest area is usually on a hard surface next to an anemone so the anemone tentacles protect the eggs. Once the female lays her eggs it is the male that does most of the work, making sure the eggs are well ventilated and protected from predators. Clownfish eggs hatch in less than 10 days depending on the temperature of the water.

The female standing guard

“Once the young clownfish hatch they will generally be carried away by currents and hopefully drift towards an anemone where they might establish their new home,” John Gaskell said.

“We will endeavour to catch some and put them in a holding tank to ensure survival, though this might be difficult as they hatch at night.

“Either way we can expect an increase in our clownfish population which is always one of our most popular attractions.”

Daydream Island Resort and Spa’s Living Reef is one of the world's largest man-made living coral reef lagoons.

It is home to more than 140 species of colourful marine fish, 82 species of coral and 15 species of invertebrates such as starfish, sea cucumbers and crabs.

Comprising a north and south lagoon and holding more than 1.5 million litres of water, the Living Reef lets visitors learn about and get up close to the fascinating inhabitants of the Great Barrier Reef.

For more information visit www.daydreamisland.com 

Media enquiries to Brenton Gibbs
Pictures: John Gaskell