Will the Real Nemo Please Fin Up?

Amphiprion oscellaris, the Oscellaris Clownfish or False Percula Clownfish. Amphiprion oscellaris is closely related to Amphiprion percula, the Percula Clown or Orange Clown and, for most of us, is nearly indistinguishable. How do the ichthyoligists ("fish" scientists) tell them apart? The eyes on the percula clown are bright orange with a dark, clearly demarcated center, making their eyes look smaller. The eyes of the oscellaris clown are orange with a black pupil and shades into grey on parts of th iris (i.e., looks a little smudgy), giving the appearance of a larger eye. Oscellaris also have 11 dorsal spines while percula clowns have 10 dorsal spines. The eyes, however, are easier to spot, especially on a moving fish. So which one was Nemo? Well, Nemo was a cartoon so he can be anyone you wish. However, he had brighter colors and clearly demarcated eyes (I dare you to count dorsal spines and get back to us gentle readers...), so I'm guessing Nemo was a percula clown. Note, if you're thinking of buying one, oscellaris clowns look plenty close enough for most kids to call them Nemo and are a little hardier. They are both from the Indo-Pacific, particularly near Fiji and Tongo, where they live in large sea anemones which serve as home and protection for their little clownfish friends. Note that the clownfish are also known to feed their anemone hosts in a somewhat symbiotic relationship, pushing food into the anemone's mouth.

Nemo, is that you?

Percula clownfish, Amphiprion percula at the Waikiki Aquarium, Honolulu, Hawaii.

Nemo

Amphiprion percula, a.k.a. Clownfish. Nice dark color varieties are being line bred instead of wild caught.

Apparently, Amphiprion percula larvae are drawn to specific anemones, Heteractis magnifica and Stichodactyla gigantea, through chemical cues released from the anemones which will act as protection for the fish as the fish acts to feed and clean the anemone. Cool huh?

Fish for a Change

Two Percula Clownfish guarding their Carpet Anemone. Nothing quite so cheery and bright as saltwater fish, is there? We've got Nemo so where is Dory anyhow?

Nemo

Okay, pop quiz time. Who remembers the names of the characters in "Finding Nemo?" Let's say: Nemo's Dad, His Mom, and the blue tang/girl-fish-friend?

When I went by the Percula clownfish, I could hear all the little kids saying, "NEMO!!!" in excited tones. That movie was a while ago and they still remember! It must have made quite the impression. In fact, I halfway expect them to change the name to Amphiprion nemoensis (aka, the Nemo-clown)! How's that for snotty scientific humor? Did they know, when they made the movie, that they would be stigmatizing an entire species for the next 10 years? Hahah!

Yes, yes, it was a NICE movie. Really cute...and, yes, I did go and I enjoyed it. There! I've said it! Hahah! Okay, here are the nemo trivia answers: Dad: Marlin; Mom: Coral; Girlfishfriend: Dory...and the bird (albatross?) was named Nigel!