Science

Sex-swapping fish show what it means to be resilient

Transitioning between the sexes allows these five fish species to survive and thrive.

by Claire Cameron
Updated: 
Originally Published: 

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Some 500 species of fish — clownfish like Nemo included — can undergo a shocking transformation during their lives.

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These fish have a special skill: hermaphroditism. Their biology allows for them to switch sex as needed, whether that be from male-to-female or from female-to-male — or even somewhere in-between.

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