What types of fish are in finding nemo

what type of fish are in finding nemo

So what are the fish in finding nemo? One of today’s most popular movies is Finding Nemo. Did you know that each character in the movie is based on a real life fish! The two main characters are Nemo, a clown fish and Dory a Blue Tang. Here are the fish, their role in the movie and a little bit about each fish.

Fish Description in Film Description in the Wild
Clown Fish (Nemo & Marlin) Famous for "Finding Nemo" film. Clownfish have a symbiotic relationship with anemones. Immune to anemone toxins, clean and bring food to anemones, monogamous, hermaphrodites.
Regal Blue Tang (Dory) Featured in "Finding Dory." Also known as Palette Surgeonfish or Hippo Tang. Striking blue color, unique defense mechanisms. Mature from yellow with blue spots to striking blue. Venomous spine, can play dead.
Yellow Tang (Bubbles) Yellow Tang in the dentist's fish tank in "Finding Nemo." Originates in the Hawaiian Islands. Changes color, feeds on algae, fast swimmers, nocturnal color change.
Royal Gramma (Gurgle) Stunning fish in "Finding Nemo." Hardy, resistant to diseases, feeds on plankton, brine, and Mysis shrimp. Hardy, resistant to diseases, feeds on plankton, brine, and Mysis shrimp, monogamous.
Moorish Idol (Gill) Distinct black, white & yellow coloring in "Finding Nemo." Found across the Pacific Ocean, difficult to keep in captivity. Mate for life, eat sponges, shrimp, and brine, difficult to keep in captivity.
Porcupine Puffer fish (Bloat) Nocturnal fish in "Finding Nemo." Puff up for defense, poisonous internal organs. Expand when frightened, feed on small carbs, mollusks, and sea urchins.
Black & White Damsel fish (Deb) 3 black vertical stripes on a white body in "Finding Nemo." Very aggressive, territorial. Communicate through chirps and pops, live in groups, feed on filamentous algae, fish eggs, and larvae.
Longnose Butterfly fish (Tad) Peaceful fish with distinctive split color around the mouth. Territorial, feed on crustaceans, fish eggs, and urchins.
Great White Shark (Bruce) Famous shark in "Finding Nemo." "Fish are friends, not food." Carnivorous diet. Top of the food chain, use ampullae of Lorenzini for hunting, live up to 70 years.
Sea Horse (Sheldon) Unique-looking creature in "Finding Nemo." Only fish with a neck, 45 different species. Not good swimmers, feed on small crustaceans, undergo courting ritual and male carries fertilized eggs.
Pacific Cleaner Shrimp (Jacques) Brightly colored shrimp in "Finding Nemo." Cleans parasites and dead tissue off other fish. Color blind, symbiotic relationship with "clients," born male and can change to females for mating.
Leather Sea Star (Peach) Sea star with 5 arms in "Finding Nemo." Moves slowly, feeds on algae and invertebrates. Moves slowly, feeds on algae, invertebrates, releases eggs in the water column.
Spotted Eagle Ray (Mr Ray) Featured in "Finding Nemo." Rays can be up to five meters in length, jump out of the water. Lone swimmers, eat small fish, crustaceans, and octopus. Mating involves clamping and live birth.

what are the names of the fish in finding nemo

Clown Fish - Nemo & Marlin (Nemo’s dad)

what types of fish are in finding nemo
nemo's dad from finding nemo

Possibly the most famous of the Finding Nemo characters and has seen a huge increase in clown fish sales as a result. These are also known as anemone fish as this is where they live and is their main defence. Anemones are small creatures that are found on coral reefs. They are harmful to a lot of fishes but the clownfish is immune to its toxins and so this creates what is called a symbiotic relationship between the two. Clown fish clean and bring food to the anemones and in return the anemone provides a place for the clown fish to hide away from predators.

Clown fish have developed immunity to the anemones toxins. This is achieved by the fish rubbing itself against the anemones and building up a layer of mucus on its skin. This then protects the fish from the anemones harmful toxins.

Here are some key tips for keeping clownfish in an aquarium

  • Tank Size - A minimum tank size of about 30 gallons is recommended for keeping clownfish. This gives them adequate room to swim. For each additional clownfish, add about 10 gallons.
  • Water Quality - Maintain excellent water quality with proper filtration, cycling, and weekly partial water changes. Clownfish are sensitive to water parameters like ammonia.
  • Temperature - Ideal water temperature is between 74-80°F. Use a reliable heater and thermometer. Fluctuations in temperatures can stress clownfish.
  • Tankmates - Many people keep clownfish with other fish like damsels, gobies, blennies, as well as invertebrates like shrimps or anemones. Introduce tankmates slowly and observe interactions.
  • Decor - Incorporate plenty of live rock and reef structures. This allows for hiding places and supports beneficial marine life to help cycle the tank.
  • Lighting - Provide proper reef lighting, adjusted to a day/night cycle. This supports anemones and coral growth if included.
  • Diet - In captivity clownfish do well on a varied diet of foods like brine shrimp, mysis shrimp, spirulina flakes and pellets. Feed 1-2 small meals daily.
  • finding dory

    Most famous for its orange, white and black colouring you will also find clown fish in many other colors as there are 28 different species of clownfish. They generally grow to about 3-4 inches in length and live in group with one dominant female.

    Clown fish make noises to communicate and it is reported that they make popping and clicking noises. They are omnivores are enjoy feeding on algae, worms and small crustaceans.

    Clown fish are hermaphrodites. This means they are all born males. The largest male, during mating, will turn to female. Once changed to female they stay female and are unable to turn back to males. They are also monogamous which means that stay with the same mate for life.

    During mating the male prepares a nest and then chases a female towards the nest. As the females passes over the nest she will lay 100-1000 eggs. The male then passes over the eggs and fertilizes them. The male then attends to the nest where he fans the eggs. Eggs hatch 6-8 days after fertilization has taken place.

    what kind of fish is Dory

    This fish is famous enough to get its own movie in the second instalment of the Nemo films called Finding Dory!

    What type of fish is dory, this fish can go by many different names such as Regal Blue Tang, Palette Surgeonfish or the Hippo Tang and other than Nemo himself this is one of the most striking and memorable fish from the movie. Indeed in real life this fish is also fascinating to watch.

    As juveniles, these fish are actually yellow with blue spots. It is only as they mature do they adopt their striking blue color.

    The males are larger in size than the females and they live in the Pacific Ocean on coral reefs. They have sharp spines on both the top and bottom of their bodies which act as defence but more importantly they have a venomous spine at the base of their tail fin. This venom can even be harmful to humans!

    Alongside this, and possibly their most unique form of defence, is that they play dead! When Blue Tangs feel threatened they will lie on their sides and stop moving. Most predators are put off by a dead fish so this tactic works a treat.

    Blue Tangs help keep coral clean by feeding on any algae that settles on the coral. In return the coral provide great places for the fish to dive in to and hide from predators.

    They also use the coral for breeding. Arguably they are not great parents as once the female has dropped her eggs on to the coral, the male then fertilizes and they both leave the eggs unattended with no further care for their young.

    Here are some key care guidelines for keeping blue tangs like Dory

  • Tank Size - Blue tangs need ample swimming room. Aim for 100+ gallon tank. They grow over 6 inches long.
  • Water Conditions - Maintain excellent water quality with stable temps between 72-78°F, pH 8-8.4, sg 1.023-1.025. Use proper filtration.
  • Tankmates - Many compatible fish like angels, butterflyfish, wrasses work well with blue tangs in a reef ecosystem. Avoid aggressive species.
  • Decor - Incorporate ample live rock and open sandy areas. Provide areas for shelter but also open swimming space since tangs are active.
  • Diet - Offer a herbivorous diet including marine algaes, seaweed, spirulina, plant matter. Feed 2-3 times per day.
  • Care Level - Blue tangs are not beginner fish. They can be stressed by water conditions and need an established tank. Take caution when introducing them.
  • Longevity - With excellent care, blue tangs can live for 5-10 years in home aquariums. Their bright coloration may fade as they age.
  • Yellow Tang – Bubbles

    yellow tang finding nemo
    what fish is bubbles finding nemo

    Bubbles is the much loved Yellow Tang in Finding Nemo and features in the dentist’s fish tank.

    Yellow Tang originate in the Hawaiian Islands and very much enjoy coral life. They can live up to thirty years in the wild. They are another species that looks after the coral by feeding on the algae so effectively cleaning the algae off the coral.

    These fish have spines on their dorsal and anal fins. They also have a sharp white spine both sides of their tails which acts as their defence.

    Yellow Tangs are quite fast swimmers. This is achieved from the mucus that covers their bodies which makes them very streamlined and fast.

    These fish change color too. During the day you will see them as the bright yellow you expect but at night they turn a greyish yellow which makes them less obvious to predators. At night you will also notice a white lateral stripe appear along their bodies.

    Another time you will see a difference in appearance is during mating. Males take on a shimmery look which is thought to be more attractive to females.

    Here are some key care guidelines for keeping yellow tangs like Bubbles

  • Tank Size - The minimum recommended tank for a yellow tang is 125 gallons. They grow over 6 inches and need lots of open swimming space.
  • Water Conditions - Maintain excellent and stable tank conditions, including a pH of 8.2-8.4, temp of 72°F-78°F, and sg of 1.023-1.025.
  • Tankmates - Keep yellow tangs with peaceful community fish like angelfish, clownfish, damselfish, gobies. Avoid keeping them with overly aggressive fish.
  • Diet - Provide a high-quality herbivorous diet of marine algaes and seaweed. They graze a lot so give them ample plant matter and algae.
  • Environment - Yellow tangs require ample strong water movement and ample live rock/coral structures to graze and take shelter in. Open sand beds work well too.
  • Care Level - Yellow tangs are fairly hearty but still require intermediate-level care to thrive due to their environmental needs. Conduct regular water changes and testing.
  • Longevity - Captive yellow tangs generally live for 5-10 years in home saltwater tanks, sometimes longer. Their bright color may fade as they age.
  • Royal Gramma – Gurgle

    finding nemo fish

    These fish are stunning to watch with their bright yellow and purple coloring. They are peaceful fish and are shy and passive. They can however be quite territorial.

    Royal Grammas is very hardy fish. They are resistant to most common diseases. As a result of this, if you are new to keeping fish as a hobby, these fish make the perfect fish for beginners.

    They eat plankton, brine and Mysis shrimp. They will also eat parasites off the skin of other fish so very good fish to have in your aquarium. Feeding Royal Grammas is very easy as they absolutely love to eat!

    All Royal Grammas are born female. The most dominant female will turn to male and grow larger than the females. During mating the male builds a nest, the female then drops 5-40 eggs in to the nest and the male fertilizes them.

    Here are some key care guidelines for keeping royal gramma fish like Gurgle

  • Tank Size - A 30 gallon or larger tank is recommended. This gives them adequate room, but they only grow 3-4 inches in size.
  • Water Conditions - Maintain high water quality with a pH of 8.1-8.4, temperature of 72°F-78°F, and specific gravity between 1.020-1.025. Proper filtration is essential.
  • Tank Set-Up - Provide plenty of rocky overhangs, caves and crevices for hiding and sleeping. Also open areas for swimming. They like dense arrangements.
  • Tankmates - Many peaceful community fish work well such as clownfish, cardinalfish, dottybacks and gobies. Avoid very aggressive fish.
  • Diet - Offer meaty foods like brine shrimp, mysis shrimp, blackworms. For variety also feed marine flakes and pellets with spirulina.
  • Care Level - Royal grammas are hardy, but require prior saltwater experience. Maintain stable water parameters and clean tank to prevent disease.
  • Longevity - With excellent care, royal grammas can live 6-8 years in home saltwater aquariums.
  • gill finding nemo

    gill from finding nemo moorish idol
    gill from finding nemo

    With their distinct black, white & yellow coloring, there is only one species of Moorish Idol which makes them quite unique. They are found across the Pacific Ocean. They are not generally seen in aquariums as they are very difficult to keep in captivity. They are also very picky eaters which is another reason keeping them in captivity is difficult.

    Moorish Idol fish mate for life which makes them very endearing. However it also makes it virtually impossible to breed them in captivity. You will often see adults in pairs. Groups are only seen when the fish are juveniles.

    They have a spine in front of the eyes which is larger in males than females.

    They eat sponges, shrimp and brine. If their chosen food is not available they will often starve rather than eat what is available.

    They spawn in to open water. The females leave an egg cloud which the males swim through to fertilize. The fertilized eggs then float to the surface to grow.

    Here are some key care guidelines for keeping Moorish Idols like Gill from Finding Nemo

  • Tank Size - Minimum recommended size is 125 gallons or preferably larger. Moorish Idols can grow up to 6 inches and require swimming space.
  • Water Conditions - Maintain excellent water quality with stable temperature between 74-80°F, pH 8.1-8.4, and specific gravity between 1.020-1.025. Strong water movement is important.
  • Tank Set-Up - Provide ample rock work, caves and overhangs for shelter and sleeping. Also open room for active swimming.
  • Tankmates - Keep with similarly sized peaceful fish like tangs, butterflyfish, angelfish, and triggers. Avoid housing with aggressive species.
  • Diet - Offer a carnivore diet including meaty options like shrimp, worms and table food like clams/mussels along with quality flakes and pellets.
  • Care Level - Moorish Idols require a highly experienced aquarist, well-established tank, and excellent water conditions. They are very sensitive and prone to disease.
  • Longevity - Even with perfect care, a 2-3 year average lifespan is common for captive Moorish Idols in home tanks. Some may live 5+ years.
  • finding dory

    Porcupine Puffer fish – Bloat

    bloat porcupine puffer fish
    which fish are from finding nemo

    Porcupine puffer fish are nocturnal and are not very good swimmers. They are considered semi aggressive. They are not good swimmers as they do not have pelvic fins. They instead use their pectoral fins to move around.

    When they are frightened they expand by swallowing water or air and puff up to look like a large ball. Alongside this, they also extend long spines to make themselves look even fiercer to any predator. As a last resort of defence the internal organs of the porcupine puffer fish are poisonous as they contain toxins. This makes them a very unsavoury meal! With all this in mind, the puffer fish has very few predators.

    They feed on small carbs, molluscs and sea urchins and have a small beak to help break the shell or crustaceans armour.

    They breed in groups of males with one female and spawn on the surface. It is almost impossible to breed porcupine puffer fish in captivity.

    Here are some key care guidelines for keeping porcupine pufferfish like Bloat

  • Tank Size - A minimum of 55 gallons is recommended. Porcupine puffers can reach up to 20 inches and require ample room.
  • Tank Setup - Fine sandy substrate is ideal as puffers like to bury themselves. Provide plenty of rocks and caves for hiding and sleeping. Have tight-fitting lid.
  • Water Conditions - Maintain high water quality with stable temps of 72-78°F, pH of 8.1-8.4, and sg of 1.020-1.025. Excellent filtration is a must.
  • Tankmates - Best kept solitary as they are aggressive toward other fish. Appropriately sized triggers, eels or lionfish can work but may nip fins.
  • Diet - Feed small seafood like shrimp, clams, mussels everyday. Supplement with vitamin-enriched frozen preparations and spirulina.
  • Care Difficulty - Porcupine puffers require intermediate to advanced care to meet their needs. Perform regular testing and water changes.
  • Longevity - With pristine tank conditions, porcupine puffers can live 10+ years in home aquariums.
  • Black & White Damsel fish – Deb

    fish from finding nemo black striped damsel deb
    deb from finding nemo black white damsel

    These fish have 3 black vertical stripes on a white body. They are renowned for being very aggressive especially as they mature to adults.

    They are extremely territorial and once they have located a home in the coral they tend to stay there. The coral benefits from having this fish make its home here because it feeds the coral with its waste and also maintains water movement around the coral which also keeps it clean.

    All black & white damsel fish are born female. The largest fish will turn to male and cannot turn back to a female. If the male is removed then the next largest female will change to male. These fish can turn to male on demand.

    Similar to the clown fish, black & white damsel fish communicate through a series of chirps and pops. They live in groups of 3-25 fish and feed on filamentous algae, fish eggs and larvae.

    They are not great swimmers so tend to stay close to the coral so they can quickly hide if a predator arrives.

    During spawning the pecking order is enacted. The alpha male and female will spawn first with the next in line only spawning after the alpha pair has finished.

    Here are some key care guidelines for keeping black & white damselfish like Deb

  • Tank Size - A 30 gallon tank is recommended as the minimum. They grow to around 5 inches and are active swimmers. Provide open areas.
  • Tank Set Up - Provide ample base rockwork and shelters. Also place rocks forming caves near the substrate and surface. Open sandy bottom areas work well too.
  • Water Conditions - Maintain high water quality with stable temperatures around 72-80° F, pH 8.0-8.4, and specific gravity levels between 1.020-1.026. Use good filtration.
  • Tankmates - Many peaceful community fish like clownfish, chromis, gobies and blennies work well. Avoid keeping them with very aggressive fish.
  • Diet - Offer herbivore flakes, pellets, dried seaweed, spirulina and marine algaes. Feed 2-3 times daily in smaller quantities.
  • Care Level - Relatively hardy, but do require some prior saltwater experience. Weekly maintenance is a must with water testing and changes.
  • Longevity - With optimal water quality and diet, black & white damsels can live 5-8 years or more in home aquariums.
  • longnose butterfly fish – Tad

    yellow longnose butterfly fish

    This is a peaceful fish that is distinguished by the split of color either side of its mouth. Above the mouth is black and below the mouth is white. The yellownose butterfly fish groups as juveniles but as adults tend to stay in pairs only. They have a black spot on their tails which is there to confuse predators.

    Whilst peaceful, they are territorial. This is perhaps due to the monogamous tendency of this fish, as a pair they like to own their coral! The female defends the food resource whilst the male defends the territory.

    They are carnivore and feed on crustaceans, fish eggs and urchins. 

    Here are some key care guidelines for longnose butterflyfish like Tad

  • Tank Size - A minimum of 70 gallons is recommended. Longnose butterflyfish grow over 5 inches long and require ample swimming space.
  • Tank Setup - Provide plenty of ample live rock for grazing and hiding spots. Open sandy areas are fine as well. They may nip at corals.
  • Water Conditions - Maintain stable, pristine water quality with a pH of 8.1-8.4, temperatures of 72-78°F and a specific gravity of 1.020-1.026.
  • Tankmates - Best kept in peaceful community tanks with fish like tangs, angelfish, triggers and appropriate large invertebrates. Avoid fin-nipping types.
  • Diet - Offer a carnivore diet including meaty foods like shrimp, marine-based flakes/pellets with added spirulina. Target feed 2 times per day.
  • Care Difficulty - Their specialized diet and needs for ample space and water quality put them at intermediate-advanced level of care.
  • Longevity - With excellent care, longnose butterflyfish can live for 5-7 years in home aquariums.
  • Great White Shark – Bruce

    bruce from finding nemo

    “fish are friends, not food” is Bruce’s famous saying in Finding Nemo. Great White Sharks are well known but are often portrayed in a very aggressive context.

    Their huge mouths are filled with rows of sharp teeth that allow for their carnivorous diet of sea lions, fish and even birds.

    The females are larger in size and dominant as a result. Size matters in the shark world. Great whites can live up to 70 years old in the wild.

    They are pretty much found across all oceans and are top of the food chain with no natural predators. The Killer Whale seems to be the only other ocean going animal that might cause them some hassle but this is normally a defensive threat rather than the Killer Whale seeking food.

    A fascinating fact of the Great White is the use of its ampullae of Lorenzini. This is an organ which is effectively electroreceptors. The Great White is such an awesome hunter as it uses this to detect the electromagnetic field of its prey. This allows fast and accurate attacks.

    Breeding is something that is seldom caught on camera but females sharks develop and hatch eggs within their uterus giving birth to shark pups after an 11 month gestation period.

    Here are some guidelines for keeping great white sharks like Bruce from Finding Nemo

    Unfortunately, great white sharks simply cannot be kept in home aquariums. Here are some key reasons why

  • Enormous Tank Size - Great whites can reach over 20 feet long and require huge amounts of space for swimming. No home aquarium could provide adequate size.
  • Specialized Equipment - The life support system needed to maintain water quality for sharks would need to be commercial or even ocean-based strength. Home gear is inadequate.
  • Dangerous - Great whites are apex predators built to hunt large prey like seals. Keeping them in captivity alongside people or other marine life would be extremely dangerous.
  • Difficulty Rating - Even advanced public aquariums rarely keep a great white shark temporarily. They are very hard to care for properly over any extended time.
  • Dietary Needs - Great whites need to eat very frequently and have a diet mainly of nutrient rich red meat. Supplying appropriate food would be challenging.
  • Sea Horse – Sheldon

    finding nemo sheldon sea horse
    sheldon seahorse finding nemo

    Almost majestic in their movements the Sea Horse is a very unique looking creature. This is the only fish in the ocean that has a neck. There are 45 different species of sea horse and so they can be seen in many different sizes and colors.

    Sea horses are classified as fish however they do not have scales. Instead they have rings around their bodies which hold bony plates. This also means they do not have any need for ribs as the rings act in the same way as ribs would.

    Sea horses are not very good swimmers. This is because they flutter their dorsal fin to swim whilst using their pectoral fin to steer.

    They feed on small crustaceans and are heavily reliant on their camouflage to catch their prey. They also have to be very patient as staying still and letting your dinner come to you can take some time.

    Sea horses go through a courting ritual that can last many days. After this ritual the females lays her eggs in a pouch within the male’s abdomen. The pouch acts as an incubator where the eggs are fertilised and develop. Once hatched the male will eject the babies in to open water. There can be up to 1500 babies with each hatching.

    Here are some key care guidelines for keeping seahorses like Sheldon

  • Tank Size - A minimum of 30 gallons is recommended. Seahorses require ample room and good water quality.
  • Tank Setup - Provide anchoring points for their tails via corals, macroalgaes or purpose-designed holders. Keep lighting low.
  • Water Conditions - Maintain pristine water quality with temps of 72-78°F, pH 8-8.3, and sg of 1.010-1.013. Use gentle filtration.
  • Tankmates - Avoid housing with fish that may nip delicate seahorses. Shrimp, snails or peaceful pipefish make the best tankmates.
  • Diet - Feed 3-5 times per day with foods like frozen mysis shrimp, vitamin-enriched brine shrimp, and plankton.
  • Care Difficulty - Seahorses need dedicated care and tanks catered to their unique needs, especially pertaining to anchoring and diet.
  • Longevity - With meticulous care, seahorses can live 1-4 years based on species and individual health.
  • Pacific Cleaner Shrimp – Jacques

    jaques pacific shrimp cleaner finding nemo
    jacques pacific shrimp cleaner finding nemo

    This particular shrimp is brightly colored and is distinguished by its red and white stripes down its back. Not that they can enjoy each other’s coloring because they are actually color blind!

    Known as the Pacific Cleaner Shrimp. This is because they eat parasites and dead tissue off other fish. They quite often have a ‘client’ fish that they clean. This symbiotic relationship suits both the fish, which is being cleaned, and the shrimp that is getting their food.

    Shrimps are all born male and are able to change to females for mating. Fertilsied eggs are attached to the abdomen of the shrimp whilst they grow.

    Juvenile shrimp go through 14 different stages before entering adulthood.

    Here are some key care guidelines for keeping Pacific cleaner shrimp like Jacques

  • Tank Size - A minimum 20 gallon tank, although 30+ gallons is ideal for shrimp to help maintain water quality. They stay small under 2 inches.
  • Water Conditions - Maintain stable, high water quality with temperature between 72-78°F, pH 8.1-8.4, and specific gravity 1.023-1.025. Good filtration is important.
  • Decor - Provide ample rock work, overhangs and caves. Shrimp need hiding places and structures to cling to and pick surfaces clean.
  • Tankmates - Best kept with fish that won’t prey on shrimp. Good options include tangs, angelfish, clownfish, gobies, blennies and chromis for safety.
  • Diet - As omnivores, offer meaty foods like mysis shrimp plus quality algae wafers and flakes with added spirulina for nutritional variety.
  • Care Level - Fairly hardy if provided proper established tank set up. Good for aquarists with some prior experience.
  • Longevity - Pacific cleaner shrimp can live 3-5 years with properly maintained water quality and diet.
  • Leather Sea Star – Peach

    peach sea horse finding nemo
    finding nemo sea star peach

    The sea star has 5 arms which gives it a star appearance. They have a very sulphur like pungent smell. They move extremely slowly across any surface but can also swim in open water by moving their 5 arms around. This is also very slow for them.

    They feed on algae but are most famous for eating invertebrates such as anemones, urchins and sponges.

    Their most common predator is actually another starfish species known as the Morning Sun Star.

    Females release eggs in to the water column where they are fertilised by the males.

    Here are some key care guidelines for keeping leather sea stars like Peach

  • Tank Size - A minimum 30 gallon tank is recommended. They can grow over 12 inches wide so ample space is crucial.
  • Water Flow - Strong water movement and currents are vital. Use high flow powerheads to replicate their natural wave swept habitats.
  • Substrate - Fine sand substrate or rubble allows them to maneuver and bury themselves which they need to do.
  • Diet - Offer foods like mussels, shrimp, squid, clam and vitamin-enriched gelatin foods. Use clips to hold food near them.
  • Tankmates - Select peaceful invertebrate tankmates that won’t disturb or prey on them like snails, urchins or sea cucumbers. Avoid fish that may nip.
  • Care Difficulty - Intermediate to advanced. Water parameters and ample food provision takes dedication.
  • Longevity - With excellent water quality and diet they can live 5+ years in home aquariums.
  • Spotted Eagle Ray – Mr Ray

    what fish are in finding nemo
    spotted eagle ray finding nemo

    Rays are fascinating creatures. They can be up to five metres in length which makes them fairly magnificent in the water. They are black in color with white rings across the top of their body. Their underneath is white.

    Whilst you may see Rays in groups they are more commonly seen as lone swimmers. From the surface Rays are renowned for jumping out of the water and this is a spectacle that is viewed by humans regularly!

    Rays generally only have one natural predator and that is sharks! Themselves they eat small fish and crustaceans but one of their favourites is octopus. Their mouths are located on their underside so they can feed off the bottom or during a chase in open water.

    They have venomous spines behind the pelvic fin which can be ejected in defence. Very rare but this has been the cause of injury to humans over the years.

    When mating, the male will clamp the females so that their under-bellies are facing each other and are connected. The female grows the eggs inside her to incubate them and gives birth to live pups.

    Unfortunately, spotted eagle rays like Mr Ray from Finding Nemo generally cannot be kept in home saltwater aquariums for the following reasons

    • Tank Size - Eagle rays grow over 5 feet wide and need huge commercial-sized tanks with extremely large water volume and floor space for swimming. No home could provide adequate size.
    • Life Support System - The heavy filtration needed for waste removal from large rays can usually only be handled via heavy-duty professional equipment beyond home capabilities.
    • Temperature - Specialized water chilling equipment would be needed to maintain cooler temperatures that eagle rays require. This is cost prohibitive for home setups.
    • Diet - Providing the huge amounts of food needed daily for adult rays would be very complex and likely require special aquaculture systems.
    • Behavior - Rays need special flooring and very smooth decor to prevent injury to their undersides. Most home tanks could not accommodate this safely.
    finding dory

    Last Updated on January 16, 2024 by aquarium tom