The clownfish (pictured), which famously live in close association with sea anemones in nature, will feature in an episode dedicated to the diverse life histories of fish.
 |
CSAR was approached by the BBC's Natural History Unit in Bristol in late 2008 to assist in the production of this 10-part series, which is narrated by Sir David Attenborough.
The series' team wished to feature detailed recording of the behaviour and development of larvae and young juveniles and the ultra close up detail shots of the developing eggs in the clownfish sequence was proving impossible to film in the wild without the risk of disturbing both parents and young.
The BBC team consulted CSAR, who suggested a way of getting these macro shots without causing the fish any problems, using fish and young they were studying in their research. (Visit www.bbc.co.uk/life for further information on the team's filming techniques.)
CSAR has been breeding clownfish successfully for many years and after several months of preparing special tanks for filming and allowing the fish to settle into their new surroundings, the chosen adults began spawning in spring 2009.
Clownfish lay their eggs on meticulously prepared rock or coral at the foot of their host anemone and vigorously defend and clean their clutch throughout development.
Having photographed these well known behaviours in the wild, the Life production team were keen to obtain additional close up shots under controlled conditions, showing larvae hatching and swimming into open water and small juveniles taking refuge for their first time within a sea anemone.
The series' Assistant Producer Simon Blakeney and cameraman Rod Clarke, assisted by CSAR staff, patiently observed and recorded the tiny clownfish larvae and juveniles during successive evenings over several weeks, in order to obtain a short section of footage for inclusion in the impressive final feature.
CSAR Director, Dr Robin Shields, said: "We have been delighted to contribute to the Life series in this way. The BBC Natural History Unit are rightly world famous for their expertise and diligence in bringing the natural world to our screens and it has been a great experience for our team to participate in this latest of Sir David Attenborough's productions."
Life was screened on BBC One at 9pm on Monday, November 2, 2009. For more information on the series visit http://www.bbc.co.uk/life
