Are you a big fan of getting creative while also learning a thing or two about the exciting creatures on our planet? You’ve come to the right place! At Blue Reef Aquarium Portsmouth, we’re dedicated to sharing the ins and outs of all the marine creatures that call our waters home, including the clownfish.
If you’d like to learn a few fun facts about this fish while we share our broken-down steps to help you draw a cute clownfish, read on.
What will I need?
So, what tools and equipment do you need to draw your own realistic clownfish (Amphiprioninae) in just 8 easy steps? Grab the following to help you get started:
- Pen/pencil
- Rubber
- Paper
- Coloured pens/pencils
How to draw a clownfish in 8 easy steps
Check out our step-by-step video explaining how to draw a clownfish from start to finish!
- Start by drawing an oval-shaped outline for the body. On the left, draw two small bumps which will form the mouth. On the right, curve the top line slightly upwards and the bottom line slightly downwards to help draw the tail, leaving these lines unconnected.
- To draw the tail, extend the lines on the right slightly before connecting the top and bottom lines with multiple curved lines running vertically.
- For the clownfish markings, add two lines close together, curving away from the face. Repeat this with another two lines close together, curving away from the face again, and then four more times, curving towards the face until you reach the tail.
- To finish off the markings, add curving lines just to the left of the tail’s outline.
- Next, it’s time to add the fins. Draw a curved line in the centre of the top of the body for the dorsal fin and do the same to the right for the anal fin, being sure to draw another black line inside running parallel.
- Mirror the fins from the top of the body on the bottom of the body. Finish off the fins by rubbing out a section of the third marking line and drawing a curving line away from the head for the pectoral fin.
- Clownfish have spiny fins, so be sure to add fine black lines to each of the fins and tail between the markings.
- Now all that’s left is to colour in your clownfish! There should be a black band at the tip of the fins and between the orange and white alternating stripes. You can then add a white dot with a smaller white dot on the head for the eye.
Fun clownfish facts!
Ready for some fun facts about clownfish? Show off some of your newfound knowledge alongside your wonderful drawing:
- Clownfish hatch year-round, rather than only having one time of year dedicated to breeding, like many other fish. They’re also all born as males but can switch if a dominant female is needed in the school, although they cannot switch back afterwards.
- Clownfish have a special bond with anemones, which is called a symbiotic relationship. Anemones clean anemones and share food with them, in exchange for the safety of being among the stinging tentacles that they’re immune to.
- At least 30 species of clownfish are known to be swimming around in the world’s waters, most of which prefer the shallow waters of the Indian Ocean, the Red Sea, and the western Pacific. The only places you won’t find them are the Mediterranean, Atlantic and Caribbean.
- With so many variations, their appearance can also differ, with some having darker orange banding and others even developing rare genetic mutations causing black, yellow or red colourings.
- Clownfish can grow up to around 4 inches in length, and although their shapes can vary based on the species, they’re usually oval-shaped.
Now you’re armed with some interesting facts about their appearance, habits and habitats, alongside knowing more about their anatomy from your drawing, why not come along and meet our clownfish? You can find them in our Tropical Treasures exhibit, swimming past tangs and starfish. Book your tickets today so you don’t miss out!