Surely you’ve heard about coral bleaching by now, but did you know other marine animals can bleach too? Just like corals, giant clams and sea anemones can lose their vibrant colours when the ocean warms. All three rely on algae living in their tissues for nutrients. The algae photosynthesise, while the host gives them a safe home. But when things heat up (ie the ocean), this partnership breaks down. The host expels its algae, losing both its colour and source of energy. But sea anemones have something special going for them. They’re also home to anemonefish (like Nemo). And it turns out, their fishy roommates can help them recover. A study found that bleached anemones with anemonefish regained their colour a lot faster than those without. The nutrients from the fish seem to kickstart algal regrowth, giving anemones a unique resilience boost in a warming ocean. Something something about the power of having friends in times of struggle. Photo by mitty #OceanSchool #LifeIsBetterInCol...