Clownfish usually live within sea anemones,whose tentacles sting and paralyze most fish that touch them.The clownfish,which are not harmed by the tentacles,gain protection from predators and feed on the waste matter left from the anemone's meals.The clownfish protect the sea anemones from some of their predators and parasites.The relationship between clownfish and sea anemones is ____.
A) competition
B) carrying capacity
C) parasitism
D) mutualism
E) commensalism

Question

Clownfish usually live within sea anemones,whose tentacles sting and paralyze most fish that touch them.The clownfish,which are not harmed by the tentacles,gain protection from predators and feed on the waste matter left from the anemone's meals.The clownfish protect the sea anemones from some of their predators and parasites.The relationship between clownfish and sea anemones is ____.​
A) ​competition
B) ​carrying capacity
C) ​parasitism
D) ​mutualism
E) ​commensalism

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The relationship between clownfish and sea anemones is mutualism because both species benefit from the association. The clownfish gain protection from predators and feed on the waste matter left from the anemone's meals, while the anemone is protected from some of its predators and parasites by the presence of the clownfish.

Clownfish Usually Live Within Sea Anemones,whose Tentacles Sting and Paralyze