IC-ANEMONE is the first global database aimed specifically at better understanding where and when clownfish and anemones are occurring and what threatens their survival in the wild. IC-ANEMONE is a website app developed in collaboration with iNaturalist- to provide an online social network of people sharing biodiversity information. Users can upload information directly using our IC-ANEMONE android phone app or through the iNaturalist website. You can then explore and compare other clownfish and anemone sightings here.

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Development of the web app has been through the generous volunteer support of students at Flinders University of South Australia and The Saving Nemo Conservation fund. Further developments in 2016/17 include adding observations directly to the IC-ANEMONE website and an iphone app to record information anywhere, anytime. We are currently seeking financial support to transform the way people interact with the data by creating an interactive journey.

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What is Citizen Science?

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Citizen Science is scientific work undertaken by members of the general public, often in collaboration with or under the direction of professional scientists. Citizen scientists can be anyone- students, snorkelers, divers, photographers, fishermen, scientists, or tourists. The IC-ANEMONE project relies on public observations from 'citizen scientists’who see clownfish in the wild and records important information about it here.

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Simply upload your photos and observations using identification guides so we can use this information to better understand clownfish behaviour, species distribution, and the threats they face.

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Snorkel Trails

If you are a resort or resort-affiliated dive center, you might be interested in setting up a Saving Nemo IC-ANEMONE snorkel trail. Your guests and customers can enjoy your reef while also contributing to data collection in this global initiative.

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Why join this project?

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Data collected with the app will enable scientists to monitor density, diversity, health and interspecies relationships of clownfish and anemones in protected and exploited sites. This is important because estimating numbers of species in the wild is difficult and little is understood about the effects anemone bleaching and collection for aquariums is having on clownfish survival.

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In coral reefs both in Australia and overseas, we know that clownfish and anemone numbers are declining and this new database will help us discover what is influencing these trends. It could be climate change or over-collection or a combination of both these factors. What has been missing to answer this question is long-term, wide scale clownfish sightings data to highlight general patterns that lead us to identify what is really happening. Information citizen scientists record using the app can then be combined with other publicly available data, such as weather and collection statistics, to build a better understanding of clownfish conservation. From these data, scientists can build a clearer picture of the pattern and frequency of habitat disturbance and the resilience of clownfish and anemones. The overall goal of IC-ANEMONE is to develop effective strategies to conserve clownfish and anemones through sustainable aquarium fisheries and by fostering environmental stewardship.

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Become a citizen scientist and make a difference to protect clownfish today!

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The first version of IC-ANEMONE – was officially launched in August 2016 by marine biologists at Flinders University of South Australia during National Science Week.

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We want people to visualise the citizen science data in new and meaningful ways for the classroom or for enthusiasts. 

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