Symbiotic Relationship Collection (#11)

Rays from the setting sun shining on an anemone with a pair of clownfish
Rays from the setting sun shining on an anemone with a pair of orange and white clownfish, Cenderawasih Bay, West Papua, Indonesia

Pink clownfish in white and blue anemone, Komodo, Indonesia
Pink clownfish in bleached white and blue anemone, Komodo, Indonesia

Striated goby and blind shrimp, North Sulawesi
Striated goby and blind shrimp, Lembeh Strait, North Sulawesi, Indonesia

Spotted grouper with orange cleaner shrimp, Bali, Indonesia

A pink anemonefish swims among the tentacles of its host anemone
A pink anemonefish (Amphiprion perideraion) swims among the tentacles of its host anemone near the island of Sulawesi, Indonesia

A crown-of-thorns starfish on a reef in Indonesia
A crown-of-thorns starfish (Acanthaster planci) feeds on corals on a reef in Indonesia. This species clears space on reefs for other corals and invertebrates to colonize

A pair of tunicates grow on a reef in Lembeh Strait, Indonesia
A pair of colorful tunicates grows on a reef in Lembeh Strait, Indonesia. This is a filter-feeding organism

A saltwater shrimp living on bubble coral in Lembeh Strait
An almost invisible shrimp (Vir philippinensis) lives among the bulbous tentacles of a bubble coral on a reef in Lembeh Strait, Indonesia. This area is known for its high marine biodiversity

Close-up of a whip coral goby, Beqa Lagoon, Fiji

Red Hermit Crab scavanges for food at night, Bonaire, Caribbean Netherlands

Striped snapping shrimp on a yellow crinoid, Indonesia
Striped snapping shrimp (Synalpheus striatus) on a yellow crinoid, Bunaken National Park, Sulawesi, Indonesia

Sarasvati anemone shrimp on orange and green anemone
Sarasvati anemone shrimp (Periclimenes sarasvati) on orange and green anemone, Cenderawasih Bay, Papua New Guinea

Anemonefish in purple tip anemone, Australia

Parasitic Isopod on Grunt, Belize
Parasitic Isopod on grunt fish, Belize

Detail of coral polyps on a reef in Lembeh Strait
Detail of coral polyps (Diploastrea sp.) on a reef in Lembeh Strait, Indonesia

False Ocellaris Clownfish in its host anemone, Papua New Guinea

Scarlet Reef Hermit Crab peeks out of its shell, Bonaire, Caribbean Netherlands
Red Reef Hermit Crab peeks out of its shell, Bonaire, Caribbean Netherlands

Gray reef shark with remora, Papua New Guinea
Gray reef shark (Carcharhinus amblyrhynchos) with remora, Inglis Shoal, Kimbe Bay, Papua New Guinea

Goby with commensal blind shrimp, Bali, Indonesia
Orange, white and blue goby with commensal yellow and red blind shrimp, Bali, Indonesia

Three pink anemonefish in a circular pink anemone, North Sulawesi, Indonesia

False clownfish swimming around their host anemone
False clownfish (Amphiprion ocellaris) swim around their host anemone on a reef in Indonesia

A massive barrel sponge grows on a reef near Alor, Indonesia
A massive barrel sponge grows on a beautiful reef near Alor, Indonesia. This remote region is known for its beautiful reefs and spectacular marine biodiversity

Sunlight falls on a beautiful reef in Komodo National Park
Afternoon sunlight falls on a beautiful reef growing in extremely shallow water in Komodo National Park, Indonesia. This part of the Coral Triangle is known for its high marine biodiversity

Pink anemonefish in its host anenome, Fiji

Oriental sweetlip and yellow snapper with a cleaner wrasse, Maldives
Oriental sweetlip and yellow snapper at cleaning statiuon with a cleaner wrasse, Ari and Male Atoll, Maldives

Hermit crab on sponge in Gulf of Mexico

Close-up view of the underside of a Hawksbill sea turtle with barnacles
Close-up view of the underside of a Hawksbill sea turtle, complete with barnacles, on a reef in Raja Ampat, West Papua, Indonesia

Gorgonians and reef-building corals near the Blue Hole in Belize
Colorful gorgonians and reef-building corals grow in shallow water near the famous Blue Hole in Belize. This part of Central America is well known for its clear waters and beautiful coral reefs

A tiny emperor shrimp on a nudibranch
A tiny emperor shrimp (Periclimenes imperator) hitches a ride on a nudibranch in Komodo National Park, Indonesia. This beautiful area harbors extraordinary marine biodiversity

Microscopic view of Paramecium bursaria, a species of ciliate protozoan that has a mutualistic symbiotic relationship with green algae called Zoochlorella

Massive whale shark with golden trevally and remora in tow
Massive whale shark coming through with golden trevally leading the way and with remora in tow, Cenderawasih Bay, West Papua, Indonesia

Red grouper with open mouth and cleaner wrasse, Bali, Indonesia

Colorful anthias swim above corals in Komodo National Park, Indonesia. This part of the Coral Triangle is known for its high marine biodiversity and is a popular destination for scuba divers

A tiny crab clings to a sea pen on a reef in Lembeh Strait, Indonesia. Crustaceans make up a large part of the biodiversity found on reefs

Reef-building corals are encroached upon by a sand bank in Indonesia. This remote region is known for its beautiful reefs and spectacular marine biodiversity

Commensal shrimp on a sea star, La Paz, Mexico

Oceanic blacktip shark with remora in the waters of Aliwal Shoal, South Africa
An oceanic blacktip shark swims by with remora in tow against the sunrays, Aliwal Shoal, Umkoms, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa

Commensal shrimp on soft coral, Papua New Guinea
Commensal shrimp (Periclimenes holthuisi) on soft coral, Kimbe Bay, Papua New Guinea

A Black-finned snake eel pokes its head out of a sandy seafloor
A Black-finned snake eel (Ophichthus cephalozona) pokes its head out of a sandy seafloor in Indonesia. This tropical region, within the Coral Triangle, is home to an incredible variety of marine life

A massive giant clam grows in Raja Ampat, Indonesia
A massive giant clam (Tridacna gigas) grows in shallow water in Raja Ampat, Indonesia. This remote region is known for its beautiful reefs and spectacular marine biodiversity

Anemonefish in their host anemone, Lembeh Strait, Indonesia

A magnificent sea anemone grows in Komodo National Park
A colorful magnificent sea anemone (Heteractis magnifica) grows in Komodo National Park, Indonesia. This part of the Coral Triangle is known for its high marine biodiversity

Oceanic blacktip sharksin the waters of Aliwal Shoal, South Africa
Several oceanic blacktip sharks swim by near the surface against sunrays, Aliwal Shoal, Umkoms, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa

A harlequin swimming crab sits on its host tube anemone
A harlequin swimming crab (Lissocarcinus laevis) sits on its host tube anemone in Komodo National Park, Indonesia. This tropical area in the western Pacific harbors an extraordinary array of marine

Healthy reef-building corals thrive in Komodo National Park, Indonesia. This tropical area in the western Pacific harbors an extraordinary array of marine organisms

Pink Anemonefish protect their purple anemone home, Papua New Guinea
Pink Anemonefish (Amphiprion perideraion) appear to be on lookout to protect their purple anemone home in the clear and warm ocean waters of Papua New Guinea

Yellowline Arrow Crab on anenome in Caribbean Sea

Cinnamon Clownfish in its host anemone, Fiji
Cinnamon Clownfish (Amphiprion melanopus) in its host anemone, Fiji

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In the vast ocean, a Dugong gracefully glides through the water, its massive body nourished by a seagrass meadow. This gentle giant relies on the symbiotic relationship it shares with Halophila stipulacea to sustain its life. Meanwhile, in prehistoric times, an Alvarezsaurid bird fearlessly approaches the mouth of a Giganotosaurus carolinii dinosaur. With meticulous care, it cleans away remnants of food from between the sharp teeth of this mighty predator. A remarkable example of mutualism in ancient ecosystems. On sandy shores, intricate patterns emerge as Mint-sauce worms wriggle beneath the surface. These tiny creatures create trails that serve as shelter for other organisms and contribute to beach stability—a harmonious partnership between nature and these fascinating worms. Beneath turquoise waters, a Western clownfish seeks refuge within the tentacles of a Magnificent sea anemone. In return for protection against predators, this vibrant fish provides nutrients to its host—an extraordinary case of mutual dependence. In Mexican seas, a Giant manta ray majestically soars above coral reefs while Remoras cling onto both wings. These small hitchhikers enjoy free transportation and access to leftover meals provided by their gracious host—the epitome of commensalism in marine environments. Far off on Tenerife's coastlines lie Ocean sunfish swimming alongside Pilot fish—two species united by mutual benefit. The sunfish offers protection from potential threats while enjoying parasite removal services provided by its loyal companions. Within coral reefs dwells another helpful creature—the Bluestreak cleaner wrasse diligently cleaning among sharp teeth belonging to various reef inhabitants. Its bravery ensures not only dental hygiene but also sustenance for itself—a classic example of mutualistic behavior underwater. Back in ocean depths where darkness reigns supreme resides another symbiotic duo—the Dugong and juvenile Golden trevally swim side by side.