The saltwater aquarium hobby has seen huge blooms after the release of Disney\u2019s \u201cFinding Nemo\u201d in 2003 and again with \u201cFinding Dory\u201d in 2016. Many movie-goers want to take a real live Nemo or Dory home for their own aquarium but don\u2019t realize what that actually involves. So, what do you need to take your favorite animated fish home without becoming a Darla?<\/b><\/p>\n \u00a9 2016 Disney\/Pixar. All Rights Reserved.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n \u00a9 2003 Disney\/Pixar. All Rights Reserved.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n The fish and other sea creatures featured in these movies are, first and foremost, saltwater animals. That means they need a saltwater aquarium. This isn\u2019t as easy as putting some table salt in your home aquarium. The water has to be mixed to the correct levels (Specific Gravity 1.020-1.024) in a separate container before being added to the aquarium. Most of these creatures are also tropical, which means the tank needs a heater to maintain warm water temperatures (75-80 degrees F). The d\u00e9cor of saltwater tanks is usually different than freshwater as well; unfortunately, ornaments like Mount Wannahockaloogie just don\u2019t work very well in saltwater aquariums. Most saltwater aquariums use natural crushed coral substrates and live rock although non-animated decorative ornaments are usually safe. For more information of basic aquarium care, visit our Saltwater Aquarium Basics Guide<\/a>. \u00a0<\/p>\n Hippo Tang (Paracanthurus hepatus)<\/p>\n<\/div>\n Max Size: 12\u201d<\/strong> For more information on keeping Hippo Tangs, visit our Tangs & Surgeonfish Care Guide.\u00a0<\/a><\/p>\n Ocellaris Clownfish (Amphiprion ocellaris)<\/p>\n<\/div>\n Max size: 4\u201d<\/strong> For more information on keeping Clownfish, visit our Clownfish Care Guide<\/a> and Clownfish and Anemone Preference Guide<\/a>.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n Common Octopus (Octopus vulgaris)<\/p>\n<\/div>\n Max Size: Depends on species<\/strong> \u00a0<\/p>\n Moorish Idol (Zanclus canescens)<\/p>\n<\/div>\n Max Size: 7\u201d<\/strong> \u00a0<\/p>\n Porcupine Puffer (Diadon holocanthus)<\/p>\n<\/div>\n Max Size: 20\u201d<\/strong> \u00a0<\/p>\n Red Knobbed Starfish (Protoreaster lincki)<\/p>\n<\/div>\n Max Size: Depends on species<\/strong> \u00a0<\/p>\n Royal Gramma Basslet (Gramma loreto)<\/p>\n<\/div>\n Max Size: 4\u201d<\/strong> \u00a0<\/p>\n Yellow Tang (Zebrasoma flavescens)<\/p>\n<\/div>\n Max Size: 8\u201d<\/strong> \u00a0<\/p>\n 4-stripe Damsel (Dascyllus melanurus)<\/p>\n<\/div>\n Max Size: 3\u201d<\/strong> \u00a0<\/p>\n Skunk Cleaner Shrimp (Lysmata amboinensis)<\/p>\n<\/div>\n Max Size: 3\u201d<\/strong> \u00a0<\/p>\n Seahorse (Hippocampus sp.)<\/p>\n<\/div>\n![\"\u00a9](\"http:\/\/blogs.thatpetplace.com\/thatfishblog\/wp-content\/Finding_Dory-203x300.jpg\")
<\/p>\n![\"\u00a9](\"http:\/\/blogs.thatpetplace.com\/thatfishblog\/wp-content\/Finding_Nemo-206x300.jpg\")
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So what about the fish and other animals? Some of the movies\u2019 characters are obviously impossible and even illegal to keep in home aquariums. Others are very difficult while some are very common and easy for hobbyists to care for. We are only going to discuss those characters here that are within the scope of our hobby.
( \u2776 \u201cFinding Nemo\u201d, \u2777 \u201cFinding Dory\u201d)<\/em><\/b><\/p>\n![\"Hippo](\"http:\/\/blogs.thatpetplace.com\/thatfishblog\/wp-content\/217264-1-150x150.jpg\")
<\/p>\n\u201cDory\u201d and her parents: Hippo Tang (Paracanthurus hepatus)<\/a> \u2776 \u2777<\/h3>\n
Minimum Tank Size: 150 gallons<\/strong>
Difficulty: Moderate<\/strong>
The Hippo Tang is a fairly delicate fish with a weak immune system. They also grow too large for many aquariums. Although tempting, only experienced aquarists with larger, established aquariums should attempt this fish. Like other tangs, Hippo Tang can become very territorial and only one should be kept per tank.<\/p>\n\u201cNemo\u201d and \u201cMarlin\u201d: Clownfish (probably Amphiprion ocellaris)<\/a> \u2776 \u2777<\/h3>\n
![\"Ocellaris](\"http:\/\/blogs.thatpetplace.com\/thatfishblog\/wp-content\/208348-150x150.jpg\")
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Minimum Tank Size: 20 gallons<\/strong>
Difficulty: Easy<\/strong>
We could debate about exactly which kind of clownfish are featured in these movies, but they are probably Ocellaris Clownfish. Percula Clownfish are also very similar in care and appearance (they just develop thicker black margins). Clownfish like these are some of the easiest saltwater fish to keep and can be kept in much smaller aquariums than many of their costars. Captive-bred fish are much hardier and better for the environement than their wild counterparts. Their anemone home is much more delicate however and has some much more intensive requirements. Most clownfish \u2013 especially captive-bred \u2013 don\u2019t need an anemone to be happy and healthy.<\/p>\n![\"Common](\"http:\/\/blogs.thatpetplace.com\/thatfishblog\/wp-content\/octopus-150x150.jpg\")
<\/p>\n\u201cHank\u201d: Octopus (Octopus sp.)<\/a> \u2777<\/h3>\n
Minimum Tank Size: 30 gallons for small species<\/strong>
Difficulty: High<\/strong>
Octopus are very specialized and difficult to care for and need a specially built aquarium to keep them from escaping like Hank so often does in \u201cFinding Dory\u201d. They will also eat almost any tankmates they are kept with. Only expert aquarists should attempt an octopus.<\/p>\n\u201cGill\u201d: Moorish Idol (Zanclus canescens)<\/a> \u2776<\/h3>\n
![\"Moorish](\"http:\/\/blogs.thatpetplace.com\/thatfishblog\/wp-content\/217832-150x150.jpg\")
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Minimum Tank Size: 75 gallons<\/strong>
Difficulty: High<\/strong>
Although not as delicate now as they were even when \u201cFinding Nemo\u201d was first released, Moorish Idols are still difficult to maintain for long. It is difficult to keep these fish healthy through collection and it can be tricky to get them to eat in home aquariums. It is best to stick with hardier lookalikes like the Longfin Bannerfish (Heniochus sp.) for new or novice aquarists.<\/p>\n![\"Porcupine](\"http:\/\/blogs.thatpetplace.com\/thatfishblog\/wp-content\/208763pg1-150x150.jpg\")
<\/p>\n\u201cBloat\u201d: Porcupine Puffer (Diodon holocanthus)<\/a> \u2776<\/h3>\n
Minimum Tank Size: 200 gallons<\/strong>
Difficulty: Easy to Moderate<\/strong>
Although these puffers are usually only a few inches in length when they are sold for aquariums, they can grow to almost 2 feet long! Puffers also have very strong beak-like teeth and can crush through shells. Unfortunately, most of his tankmates in Dr. Sherman\u2019s office wouldn\u2019t have survived being kept with a puffer. Puffers \u201cblow up\u201d as a stress reaction and, while comical to us, this is very stressful and even dangerous to the puffer and should NEVER be provoked for any pufferfish.<\/p>\n\u201cPeach\u201d: Starfish<\/a> \u2776<\/h3>\n
![\"Red](\"http:\/\/blogs.thatpetplace.com\/thatfishblog\/wp-content\/216789-1-150x150.jpg\")
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Minimum Tank Size: Depends on species<\/strong>
Difficulty: usually Easy<\/strong>
It is difficult to tell exactly what kind of starfish Peach is but most of the thick-bodied starfish like her are fairly easy. However, most of these also eat snails and other inverts so use caution when choosing your starfish and its tankmates. They are sensitive to water quality and changes in water quality so make sure the tank stays clean and stable.<\/p>\n![\"Royal](\"http:\/\/blogs.thatpetplace.com\/thatfishblog\/wp-content\/257802-150x150.jpg\")
<\/p>\n\u201cGurgle\u201d: Royal Gramma Basslet (Gramma loreto)<\/a> \u2776<\/h3>\n
Minimum Tank Size: 30 gallons<\/strong>
Difficulty: Easy<\/strong>
Royal Grammas are colorful fish found in the Caribbean and western Atlantic Ocean, unlike the Pacific homes of most of the other fish in the movies. They are hardy and easy to keep, but can be territorial. Only keep one basslet in the aquarium unless it is very large with lots of rockwork.<\/p>\n\u201cBubbles\u201d: Yellow Tang (Zebrasoma flavescens)<\/a> \u2776<\/h3>\n
![\"Yellow](\"http:\/\/blogs.thatpetplace.com\/thatfishblog\/wp-content\/208944-1-150x150.jpg\")
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Minimum Tank Size: 75 gallons<\/strong>
Difficulty: Easy<\/strong>
Yellow Tangs like Bubbles were some of the first to be kept by home aquarists and are still some of the most popular. They are hardier than tangs like the \u201cDory\u201d Hippo Tang but are also more aggressive. Once they establish a territory, they will not tolerate other tangs \u2013 or possibly even any other fish \u2013 entering it. Only keep in a large tank without any other closely-related tangs or closely-colored fish.<\/p>\n![\"4-stripe](\"http:\/\/blogs.thatpetplace.com\/thatfishblog\/wp-content\/213377-150x150.jpg\")
<\/p>\n\u201cDeb\u201d: 4-stripe Damsel (Dascyllus melanurus)<\/a> \u2776<\/h3>\n
Minimum Tank Size: 30 gallons<\/strong>
Difficulty: Easy<\/strong>
Damsels like Deb are some of the hardiest and easiest saltwater fish to keep. They are usually recommended as the first fish for any saltwater hobbyists to attempt. Most damsels can get very territorial however so make sure the tank isn\u2019t overcrowded and there is plenty of territory for these fish. The 4-stripe Damsel specifically is one of the milder-tempered of all damselfish.<\/p>\n\u201cJacques\u201d: Skunk Cleaner Shrimp (Lysmata amboinensis)<\/a> \u2776<\/h3>\n
![\"Skunk](\"http:\/\/blogs.thatpetplace.com\/thatfishblog\/wp-content\/239631-150x150.jpg\")
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Minimum Tank Size: 20 gallons<\/strong>
Difficulty: Easy<\/strong>
Like Jacques, shrimp like these will clean parasites and dead scales off of other fish, but they will also eat almost any other food they are given. They are some of the easiest shrimp to keep but, like the starfish, need stable and pristine water quality. Shrimp molt their shell to grow so it is common to find an empty shell every now and then. Don\u2019t keep with predatory fish (like pufferfish, for example) as shrimp are often easy prey.<\/p>\n![\"Seahorse](\"http:\/\/blogs.thatpetplace.com\/thatfishblog\/wp-content\/orange-seahorse-150x150.jpg\")
<\/p>\n\u201cSheldon\u201d: Seahorse (Hippocampus sp.)<\/a> \u2776\u2777<\/h3>\n
![\"Yellow](\"http:\/\/blogs.thatpetplace.com\/thatfishblog\/wp-content\/p29162-150x150.jpg\")
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