Meet 7 Types of Fish in Finding Nemo (With Pictures)
See real fish from Finding Nemo! Explore Bubbles, Peach, and others, plus fun facts.
Hey there, ocean explorers! Remember the first time you watched Finding Nemo? The beautiful colors, the funny characters, and the big adventure across the sea? Well, guess what? We're going on another underwater trip today!
But this time, we're not just watching a movie. We're going to meet the real fish that inspired Nemo and his friends. That's right - those characters in the movie are based on actual fish swimming in our oceans right now!
Are you ready to dive in and meet the real stars of Finding Nemo? Great! Let's get started on our ocean adventure!
The Real Stars of Finding Nemo
Yellow Tang: The Bubbly Bubbles
Remember Bubbles, who loved the bubbles in the tank? He's based on the Yellow Tang. These bright, energetic fish are popular among people who study ocean life.
What do they look like?
Bright yellow body
Long, pointed snout
They grow up to 8 inches long
Where do they live? Yellow Tangs come from the warm waters of the Pacific Ocean. You can find lots of them swimming around Hawaii.
How do they act? These fish are always on the move. They play an important job in the ocean by eating algae off the coral reefs. This helps keep the reefs clean and healthy. In the movie, Bubbles is obsessed with the bubbles from the treasure chest. While real Yellow Tangs don't share this obsession, they are curious and active fish.
Yellow Tang Fun Facts:
Yellow Tangs can live up to 30 years in the wild!
Some people call them "lemon surgeonfish" because of their bright yellow color.
These fish are active during the day and sleep at night, just like us.
Yellow Tangs can change color slightly to communicate with other fish.
Starfish: The Sticky Peach
Remember Peach, the friendly starfish stuck on the side of the tank? She's based on real starfish, also called sea stars.
What do they look like?
Star-shaped body with five arms (some species have more!)
Come in many colors - pink, orange, red, purple, and more
Can be tiny or grow up to 12 inches across
Where do they live? Starfish live in all the world's oceans, from warm, shallow waters to the cold, deep sea.
How do they act? Starfish move slowly along the ocean floor using tiny tube feet. They're not fish at all, but they're great climbers - just like Peach in the movie! They can stick to rocks and even aquarium glass.
Starfish Fun Facts:
Starfish can regrow their arms if they lose one!
They have eyes at the end of each arm.
There are about 2,000 different species of starfish.
Angler Fish: The Deep-Sea Monster
Remember the scary fish with the light on its head that almost ate Marlin and Dory? That's based on a real deep-sea creature called the Angler Fish.
What do they look like?
Big head with a huge mouth full of sharp teeth
Dark color, usually black or dark gray
Special glowing "fishing rod" on their head
Females can grow up to 3.3 feet, but males are much smaller
Where do they live? Angler Fish live in the deep, dark parts of the ocean where sunlight can't reach.
How do they act? These fish are ambush predators. They use their glowing "fishing rod" to attract smaller fish, then gulp them down with their big mouths. Just like in the movie, they don't chase their food - they wait for it to come to them.
Angler Fish Fun Facts:
The glowing lure on their head is filled with bacteria that make their own light.
Female Angler Fish are much bigger than males. In some species, the tiny male attaches himself to the female and stays there for life!
They can swallow prey twice their size thanks to their big mouths and stretchy stomachs.
There are more than 200 species of Angler Fish.
Clownfish: The Real Nemo and Marlin
Remember Nemo and his dad, Marlin? In real life, they're called Ocellaris Clownfish. Sometimes people call them False Percula Clownfish too.
What do they look like?
Bright orange with three white stripes
Black marks on their fins
They grow up to 4 inches long - about as long as a cookie!
Where do they live?
Clownfish live in the warm waters of the Indo-Pacific. That includes the Great Barrier Reef, just like in the movie! They love to hang out in coral reefs, especially around sea anemones.
How do they act?
Just like in the movie, clownfish are all about family. They form special friendships with sea anemones. The anemones protect them from bigger fish that want to eat them. In return, the clownfish help keep the anemone clean and bring it food. Talk about teamwork!
Cool Clownfish Facts:
All clownfish are born boys. The biggest and bossiest fish in a group becomes a girl!
Clownfish do a special "dance" with their anemone friend. They gently touch its tentacles to get used to its sting.
There are 28 different types of clownfish. Each one has its own unique colors and patterns.
Moorish Idol: The Wise Gill
Remember Gill, the smart leader of the "Tank Gang"? He's based on a fish called the Moorish Idol. These fish are known for their cool shape and pretty colors.
What do they look like?
Black, white, and yellow striped body
Long, curved fin on their back
They grow up to 7 inches long
Where do they live?
Moorish Idols live in the warm waters of the Indo-Pacific. They like to swim around coral reefs.
How do they act?
In the ocean, you often see these fish swimming in pairs or small groups. They move gracefully through the water. They like to nibble on coral and sponges for food.
Moorish Idol Fun Facts:
The name "Moorish Idol" comes from some people in Africa called the Moors. They believed these fish brought happiness.
These fish have very strong jaws. They use them to crunch through hard corals and sponges.
Moorish Idols are one-of-a-kind fish. They're not closely related to any other fish species!
Blue Tang: The Real-Life Dory
Remember Dory, the forgetful but lovable fish? She's based on a real fish called the Blue Tang. Some people also call it the Palette Surgeonfish or Regal Tang.
What do they look like?
Bright blue body with black and yellow marks
Yellow tail
They can grow up to 12 inches long - that's as long as a ruler!
Where do they live?
Blue Tangs live in the Indo-Pacific region. They love to swim around coral reefs. These fish are like the gardeners of the reef. They eat algae, which helps keep the reef healthy.
How do they act?
Blue Tangs might not be as forgetful as Dory, but they do love to swim and play. They often hang out in groups, especially when they're young.
Fun Blue Tang Facts:
Blue Tangs have a sharp spine on their tail. That's why some people call them "Surgeonfish". They use this spine to protect themselves from bigger fish.
These fish can change color! At night or when they're stressed, they can turn whitish or pale blue with purple spots.
Blue Tangs can live up to 30 years in the wild. That's older than most dogs and cats!
Porcupine Pufferfish: The Real Bloat
Remember Bloat, the fish who could puff up like a balloon? He's based on the Porcupine Pufferfish. These fish are famous for their ability to inflate when they feel threatened.
What do they look like?
Tan or yellowish body covered in small spines
Big eyes and a mouth that looks like a beak
They can grow up to 20 inches long - that's bigger than a laptop!
Where do they live?
Porcupine Pufferfish live in warm waters all around the world. You can find them near coral reefs and rocky areas.
How do they act?
These fish have a cool trick. When they feel scared, they can suck in water and puff up like a spiky balloon. This makes them look bigger and harder for other fish to eat.
Pufferfish Fun Facts:
Some pufferfish can hold their breath for up to three days on land!
They have four big teeth that are fused together like a beak. This helps them crack open hard shells.
Some types of pufferfish have a super strong poison in their body. This keeps them safe from predators.
Wrapping Up Our Ocean Adventure
Wow, what a trip! We've met some amazing fish today, haven't we? From the friendly clownfish to the bright blue tang, each of these fish has its own special place in the ocean.
Next time you watch Finding Nemo, you'll know that these characters aren't just made up. They're based on real fish with cool abilities and important jobs in the sea. It's like watching your ocean friends on the big screen!
Learning about these fish helps us understand how wonderful our oceans are. It reminds us why it's so important to take care of the oceans and all the creatures living in them.
So, keep exploring, keep learning, and keep loving our oceans. There's a whole world of amazing sea life out there, just waiting for you to discover it!
FAQ
Are clownfish really as tiny as Nemo in the movie?
Not quite! Real clownfish are small, but they're a bit bigger than Nemo. Most grow to about 3-4 inches long.
Can Starfish like Peach actually stick to aquarium glass?
Yes, they can! Starfish have tiny tube feet that help them stick to surfaces and move around. They can climb on rocks, coral, and even aquarium glass, just like Peach in the movie.
Do Angler Fish really have a light on their head like in Finding Nemo?
They do! Angler Fish have a special fishing rod-like growth on their head called an esca. It glows thanks to special bacteria, attracting prey in the dark ocean depths.
Are Yellow Tangs really as obsessed with bubbles as Bubbles is in the movie?
Not really! While real Yellow Tangs are active and curious, they don't share Bubbles' love for bubbles. In nature, they're more interested in eating algae off coral reefs.
Are Angler Fish as big as they appear in Finding Nemo?
The movie exaggerates their size a bit. Most Angler Fish are actually quite small, usually less than a foot long. However, some species can grow up to 3.3 feet in length!
Do fish have personalities like the characters in Finding Nemo?
Fish don't have personalities exactly like people, but they can have their own ways of acting. Some might be braver or shyer than others.
I'm a scuba enthusiast, and marine life lover. I enjoy writing about my diving adventures and sharing my knowledge with others.
I'm a passionate scuba diver and love to share my experiences with you. I enjoy writing about my experiences and sharing my knowledge with others.