Why does the clown fish belong in the chordata?

The clown fish belongs to the phylum Chordata because it possesses the defining characteristics of this group at some stage in its life cycle. These features include a notochord, a dorsal nerve cord, pharyngeal slits, and a post-anal tail. As a member of the class Actinopterygii (ray-finned fishes), clown fish also exhibit a backbone made of vertebrae, further classifying them within Chordata. Additionally, they are warm-water marine fish known for their symbiotic relationships with sea anemones.