All the fishes featured in Finding Nemo

Released in 2003 and produced by Pixar Animation Studios, Finding Nemo is among the most popular family-friendly animated movies. The adventurous story of the father-son clownfish duo in the Great Barrier Reef got worldwide acceptance and was the reason behind the growing interest in marine fish among children and teens. 

During the runtime of the movie, several different fish species were shown with their unique characteristics reflected onto their characters. While it’s virtually impossible to discuss all the fish species features in Finding Nemo, we’ll try to cover most of the primary and side characters. Here they are: 

1. Marlin and Nemo – Clownfish

Scientific Name	Amphiprion ocellaris
Diet	Omnivorous
Lifespan	10 – 20 years
Size	2 – 5 inches
Color	Bright orange with white bars
Can it be kept in aquariums?	Yes

Haunted by the loss of his wife Coral and most of their eggs, Marlin shields Nemo from danger, often to Nemo’s frustration. Despite his anxieties, Marlin ventures across the ocean to find Nemo, proving his deep love.

Clownfish are popular for their vibrant orange body with three thick white vertical stripes and black outlines around the white stripes. They have small fins and a body length of around 3-4 inches. They are known for their symbiotic relationship with sea anemones. The anemone protects from predators with its stinging tentacles, while the clownfish keeps the anemone clean and chases away parasites.

Clownfish can change sex. The largest and most dominant clownfish in an anemone is always female, while the others are all male.

2. Dory – Regal Blue Tang

Scientific Name	Paracanthurus hepatus
Diet	Herbivorous
Lifespan	10 – 15 years
Size	12 inches
Color	Vibrant royal blue body with a yellow tail fin.
Can it be kept in aquariums?	Yes

Dory is the ultimate forgetful friend, a walking punchline with a heart of gold. Joining Marlin on his quest to find Nemo, Dory’s short-term memory is a constant source of amusement and frustration. One minute she’s leading the way with a burst of enthusiasm, the next she’s sidetracked by a shiny seashell that she can’t quite remember. 

Regal Blue Tangs have a royal blue body with a bright yellow tail and distinctive black markings resembling a palette. They have a flattened, oval-shaped body with a pointed snout and grow to about 12 inches long. They also are territorial fish and can be aggressive towards other tangs. They use a sharp spine located near their tail for defense.

3. Gill – Moorish Idol

Scientific Name	Zanclus cornutus
Diet	Omnivorous
Lifespan	7 – 10 years
Size	7 – 9 inches
Color	White with colorful bands
Can it be kept in aquariums?	Yes, with careful maintenance.

Gill, the handsome and charismatic leader of the tank gang in the dentist’s office, dreams of returning to the vast ocean. With a permanent frown and a sarcastic wit, Gill often clashes with Nemo’s cautious nature. Despite his gruff exterior, Gill offers Nemo valuable advice and even hatches a daring escape plan.

Moorish Idols have striking black and white bodies with a long, trailing dorsal fin that resembles a flag. Their body is flattened, oval-shaped, with a pointed snout. Idols grow to about 8 inches long. Moorish Idols are omnivores, feeding on sponges, jellyfish, and small invertebrates. They are solitary fish and spend most of their time swimming near coral reefs. 

4. Bloat – Pufferfish

Scientific Name	Diodon holocanthus
Diet	Omnivorous
Lifespan	10 – 15 years
Size	12 – 20 inches. Smaller in aquariums.
Color	Light brown or gray with small spikes.
Can it be kept in aquariums?	Yes

The self-proclaimed leader (in his mind) of the tank gang, Bloat is a neurotic and grumpy pufferfish. He’s constantly worried about everything from water quality to dentist attacks but sometimes offers valuable suggestions for emergencies. 

Bloat resembles a type of porcupine pufferfish, with a round body covered in short spines. His colors could vary depending on the species, but they typically have a brownish, greenish, or grayish base with spots or markings. Pufferfish are famous for their ability to inflate themselves with water or air to appear larger and deter predators.

5. Peach – Starfish

Scientific Name	Asteroidea (class)
Diet	Opportunistic carnivorous diet
Lifespan	A few months to several decades, depending on the species
Size	2 inches to a feet
Color	Red, orange, yellow, blue, and brown
Can it be kept in aquariums?	Some species can be kept in aquariums.

Peach is the ever-optimistic starfish and is the tank gang’s resident chill pill. Unlike the other fish who are constantly plotting escape or freaking out, Peach is content with her comfy spot on the bottom of the tank. Nemo finds Peach a bit boring but appreciates her calming presence.

Starfish are not fish, but echinoderms, related to sea urchins and sand dollars. They usually come in orange or pink variations, with five long arms radiating from a central disc. Starfish can regenerate lost limbs and even reproduce asexually by splitting an arm in two. They use their tube feet, tiny suction-cup-covered appendages on their underside, to move and feed.

6. Gurgle – Royal Gramma

Scientific Name	Gramma loreto
Diet	Carnivorous
Lifespan	5 – 7 years
Size	3 inches
Color	Vibrant purple
Can it be kept in aquariums?	Yes

The busy eavesdropper of the tank gang, Gurgle is a tiny purple and yellow fish with a penchant for gossip. He darts around the tank, eavesdropping on conversations and spreading rumors with wide-eyed glee. Despite his gossipy nature, Gurgle occasionally offers helpful tidbits of information Nemo can use in his escapade.

Royal Grammas are vibrantly colored fish, with Gurgle sporting a bright purple body and a bold yellow head and fins. They are small, typically only reaching around 3 inches long. Royal Grammas are known for being social creatures and live in mated pairs. They spend most of their time hiding in rock crevices and coral reefs, darting out to snatch passing plankton.

7. Bubbles – Yellow Tang

Scientific Name	Zebrasoma flavescens
Diet	Herbivorous
Lifespan	20 years
Size	4 – 6 inches
Color	Vibrant yellow
Can it be kept in aquariums?	Yes

The ditzy and forgetful friend of Nemo in the tank gang, Bubbles is a bright yellow Tang with a sunny disposition and a memory like a leaky colander.  She’s easily distracted by shiny objects and tends to follow the crowd. Despite her airheadedness, Bubbles occasionally chimes in with random useful facts Nemo can use. 

Yellow Tangs have a bright yellow body with a flattened, oval shape and a pointed snout. They have a small black stripe near their tail and can grow up to 6 inches long in captivity. Yellow Tangs are herbivores, spending their days grazing on algae growing on coral reefs. They also have a sharp scalpel-like spine located near their tail for defense.

8. Deb/Flo – Black and White Damselfish

Scientific Name	Dascyllus melanurus
Diet	Omnivorous
Lifespan	5 – 8 years
Size	3 – 4 inches
Color	Black body with white vertical bands
Can it be kept in aquariums?	Yes

These two are in a bit of confusion. Deb and Flo are actually the same Black and White Damselfish, but Deb (the original) sees Flo (Imaginary sister) as a separate fish due to the reflection in the tank. They constantly bicker with each other and chase after anything that comes near their home. Nemo finds the pair rather intimidating due to their constant arguing.

Black and White Damselfish have a rounded body with a white belly and three vertical black stripes. They’re usually short and grow only to about 3-4 inches long. Black and White Damselfish are territorial fish, living in close quarters with an anemone. They are aggressive towards other fish that come near their anemone and will chase them away.

9. Jacques – Pacific Cleaner Shrimp

Scientific Name	Lysmata amboinensis
Diet	Omnivorous
Lifespan	2 – 3 years
Size	2 – 3 inches
Color	Translucent body with red stripes
Can it be kept in aquariums?	Yes

Jacques is a Pacific Cleaner Shrimp known for his obsessive cleaning habits. Jacques is part of the aquarium gang in the dentist’s office, where he keeps everything spotless. His character adds a touch of humor to the story with his meticulous cleaning routine. He’s meticulous and proud of his work, constantly searching for patients (fish) in need of good parasite removal. 

Pacific Cleaner Shrimps provide a valuable service by cleaning parasites, dead skin, and other organic matter from fish. They have two pairs of antennae, the longer ones for exploring and the shorter ones for tasting. In the wild, fishes visit their cleaning stations to be cleaned by these helpful shrimps.

10. Bruce – Great white shark

Scientific Name	Carcharodon carcharias
Diet	Strictly carnivorous
Lifespan	70 years
Size	15 – 20 feet
Color	Grayish-blue dorsal side and a white underbelly.
Can it be kept in aquariums?	No

Bruce, a gentle giant (in his own mind), is the leader of a support group for fish who want to overcome their predatory instincts, promoting the motto “Fish are friends, not food”. He’s endearingly awkward and struggles with his natural urge to chomp.  Despite his terrifying reputation, Bruce offers Marlin some surprisingly insightful advice.

Constantly replacing their teeth throughout their lives, Great White Sharks are the largest predatory fish in the world. They have a massive torpedo-shaped body with a pointed snout and a large dorsal fin. Their coloration is dark gray or blue on top and white underneath. Great White Sharks are apex predators, meaning they have no natural predators themselves. They have a powerful sense of smell and can detect blood from miles away.

11. Anchor – Hammerhead shark

Scientific Name	Sphyrna mokarran
Diet	Strictly carnivorous
Lifespan	20 – 30 years
Size	20 feet
Color	Olive-green with a lighter underside.
Can it be kept in aquariums?	No

Anchor is a Hammerhead Shark in Finding Nemo. He is one of Bruce’s friends and a member of the support group for sharks who are trying to stop eating fish. Anchor, along with Bruce and Chum, works hard to uphold their motto “Fish are friends, not food,” adding to the comedic element of the movie. His gruff exterior and tendency to speak in shark puns often clash with Marlin’s cautious nature.

Anchor is based on a species like the Great Hammerhead Shark. They are easily recognizable by their unique head shape, with a flattened extension on either side called a cephalofoil. Hammerhead sharks use their unusual head shape to improve their maneuverability and sensory perception. The wide cephalofoil allows for increased electroreception and possibly helps them locate prey hidden in the sand or mud.

12. Tad – Longnose Butterfly Fish

Scientific Name	Forcipiger flavissimus
Diet	Omnivorous
Lifespan	5 – 7 years
Size	6 – 8 inches
Color	Yellow body with black stripes
Can it be kept in aquariums?	Yes

Tad is a Longnose Butterfly Fish featured in Finding Nemo as a young fellow and one of Nemo’s school friends. Tad is often seen accompanying Pearl and Sheldon. He is also known for his curious and playful nature, adding to the lively group of young fish in the movie. Tad’s curiosity and energetic nature often lead him into exciting situations, such as exploring the “drop-off” and witnessing Nemo’s daring swim towards a boat, which ultimately results in Nemo being captured by a diver.

The Longnose Butterfly Fish is easily recognizable due to its distinct long, narrow snout and vibrant yellow body. Its back half is adorned with black markings, and it has a white patch around its mouth, giving it a striking appearance. These fish are known for their peaceful temperament and are often seen in pairs or small groups.

13. Mr. Ray – Spotted Eagle Ray

Scientific Name	Aetobatus narinari
Diet	Omnivorous
Lifespan	15 – 20 years
Size	10 feet
Color	Dark brown or black
Can it be kept in aquariums?	No

Mr. Ray is a Spotted Eagle Ray and the enthusiastic teacher of Nemo’s class in Finding Nemo. With his vast wingspan and gentle demeanor, Mr. Ray takes the young fish on educational field trips throughout the coral reef. He is passionate about marine biology and loves sharing his knowledge with his students, often breaking into song to make learning fun.

Spotted Eagle Rays are majestic creatures with flattened bodies and distinctive patterns of white spots on their dorsal surfaces. They have long, whip-like tails that lack stingers, unlike some other ray species. They are typically found in tropical and subtropical waters around the world. They prefer shallow coastal areas where they feed on mollusks, crustaceans, and small fish. These rays are known for their docile nature and are not aggressive towards humans unless provoked.

14. Chum – Shortfin Mako Shark

Scientific Name	Isurus oxyrinchus
Diet	Carnivorous
Lifespan	20 – 30 years
Size	10 – 12 feet
Color	Metallic blue
Can it be kept in aquariums?	No

Alongside Bruce and Anchor, Chum attends the support group for sharks who are trying to resist their natural instinct to eat fish. Despite his intimidating appearance, Chum is actually quite friendly and has a sharp wit, often making humorous remarks about their efforts to refrain from eating fish.

Shortfin Mako Sharks are streamlined predators known for their impressive speed and agility in the ocean. They have a fusiform body shape, which allows them to swim at high speeds, reaching up to 60 miles per hour (97 km/h). They are metallic blue on top and white underneath, with a pointed snout and large, powerful jaws filled with razor-sharp teeth. They are capable of leaping out of the water in spectacular displays, which may aid them in hunting, communication, or removing parasites.

15. Mr. Johansen – Flounder

Scientific Name	Platichthys flesus
Diet	Carnivorous
Lifespan	5 – 10 years
Size	24 inches
Color	Brown with various markings
Can it be kept in aquariums?	Larger public marine aquariums

Mr. Johannsen is a Flounder who resides in the fish tank at the dentist’s office in Finding Nemo. With his distinctive flat body and both eyes on one side of his head, Mr. Johannsen is a laid-back and observant member of the aquarium community. He often provides wise counsel to the other tank inhabitants, especially Gill, offering insights drawn from his experiences in the confined environment.

Flounders are flatfish with a unique body shape adapted for life on the ocean floor. They have a compressed body that is laterally flattened, with both eyes positioned on the same side of their head. Flounders can change color to blend in with their surroundings, making them excellent ambush predators.

FAQs

The Bottom Line

Hopefully, you’ve now found your favorite fish features in Finding Nemo. If you’re seeking to keep it as a pet, we advise going through their specific care guides and learning more about the species. All the best!