6. The impact of climate change

 

 

Clown fish are among the world's most commonly traded fish species. In the movie Finding Nemo, the orange clown fish (0)  saved. Now environmentalists say the species needs saving in (1)  life too. On Sept. 13, the Center for Biological Diversity (2)  a petition that it hopes will prevent clown fish and seven other coral reef-dwelling species from becoming (3) .

 

There is no evidence that clown fish (4)  are dropping. So why are scientists concerned? Shaye Wolf is an animal scientist for the Center for Biological Diversity. She says the coral reefs, where clown fish live, are becoming unhealthy. “We’re asking for protection of the clown fish because it’s in trouble from climate change,” Wolf told TFK.

Clown fish protect (5)  from predators by living in sea anemones that grow on coral reefs. Scientists have warned that coral reefs are (6) to become the world’s first ecosystem to (7)  because of global warming. The reefs are (8)  risk from increased levels of acid in the ocean, (9)  comes from pollution from humans. The pollution damages a clown fish’s sense of hearing, sight and smell. (10)  damaged senses, young clown fish have trouble (11)  coral reefs to make their homes.

 

Sometimes the fish will become so confused that they are drawn (12)  predators’ smells by mistake. “The longer we wait, the harder it’s going to be to save (13)  unique creatures,” Wolf says. Clown fish face other threats too. They are among the world’s most commonly traded fish species.