(26/04/2011)
A loving pair of maroon clownfish have been christened Will and Kate and their tank decorated in tribute to the Royal Wedding couple.
Found from Indonesia to northern Queensland Maroon clownfish are one of the biggest, and often most aggressive of clownfish species.
Happily for Will – the much smaller of the pair at Weymouth Sea Life Park, Dorset – there are no rivals for partner Kate’s affections.
Their home is a new breeding and nursery exhibition at the Park, where a permanently-manned rock-pool feature is also located.
“Visitors kept asking our rockpool supervisor Glen Porter if the clownfish were called Nemo, and it was he who christened them ‘Will’ and ‘Kate’ instead,” said Park boss Johnny Campbell.
“The rest of the team liked the idea, and now they’ve even rigged up a heart-shaped decoration on the window of the tank.”
Though only introduced to their new home a few weeks ago Will and Kate have adopted a large grey anemone and spend hours every day shrouded in its stinging tentacles.
“We hope the Royal Will and Kate set up a similarly happy home together,” said Johnny. “If they are as devoted to each other as their clownfish namesakes they’ll be just fine.”
The Park will also be hosting prince and princess themed activities for the kids over the wedding bank holiday weekend, including a rag’s to riches panto and royal games on the lawn.