"Finding Dory" prompts fears of a
sudden interest in tropical fish pets
By Orlando Sentinel, adapted by Newsela staff on 05.05.16
Word Count 777
In June, the movie "Finding Dory" will be in theaters. It is about Dory, a Pacific blue tang fish. Photo: Wikimedia
ORLANDO, Fla. - Animal welfare activists and pet shop owners fear that people will
become a little too interested in tropical fish after the movie "Finding Dory" comes out in
June.
The animated movie is a sequel to 2003's "Finding Nemo," which caused a surge of cute
orange clownfish being caught in the wild and sold at pet stores. Many parents and
children bought a little Nemo fish and watched it die. Experts are worried the same thing
will happen with the Pacific blue tang.
The new cartoon includes the return of absent-minded Dory, a Pacific blue tang. The
character is voiced by Ellen DeGeneres.
Educational Materials To Keep People From Buying The Fish
"I think we are facing the same problem, and it's even worse because the blue tang is
really unsuitable for a home aquarium animal," said Teresa Telecky. She is the director of
wildlife at Humane Society International. "Blue tang live up to 50 years and get big, over a
foot long, which would require a 180-gallon aquarium, the size of a couch."
Telecky said the Humane Society has asked to talk with Pixar Disney about the movie and
how it will affect the pet fish trade. Other groups such as the People for the Ethical
Treatment of Animals (PETA) are urging families to buy plush-toy versions of Dory instead
of the real thing. Disney did not answer specific questions about its plans. A spokeswoman
said that Disney is working with the Association of Zoos and Aquariums on a program to
support tang conservation.
Disney also said it is preparing educational materials that will discourage people from
buying the fish. The Marine Aquarium Societies of North America reported that marine
biologists have talked to Disney about the storyline. In the movie, Dory is born and raised
at a marine institute. However, raising blue tang from eggs or larvae in captivity is not yet
possible.
The baby fish die because they do not eat normal fish food, said Matthew DiMaggio. He is
an assistant professor at University of Florida and a leading researcher on blue tang.
"Not That Easy"
"We knew this movie was going to come out, and we have been trying to raise them. But
they are a challenge," DiMaggio said. After "Finding Nemo," SeaWorld helped to launch a
program called Rising Tide. It is attempting to raise blue tang and other marine ornamental
fish in tanks. The program successfully raised the first yellow tang in Hawaii and has
improved breeding for the clownfish. But so far, the blue tang died after 22 days.
In Orlando, aquarium supply store owner Marcye Sweeney vowed that she will not sell any
blue tang. They are also called Pacific palette surgeonfish.
"Thousands of clownfish died after 'Finding Nemo,'" said Sweeney, owner at Sea in the City.
"People will tell you that you can set up an aquarium immediately and raise these fish, but
they are generally wrong. It's not that easy."
She said she tries to educate customers about the fish. "People will try to tell parents that
they can put a small young tang in a small tank," Sweeney said. She compared it to having
a young greyhound dog, that needs to run around, in a small apartment.
Mike Bober is the head of the Pet Industry Joint Advisory Council. After "Finding Nemo,"
there was only a moderate increase in the sale of clownfish, contrary to reports at the time.
Bober said people who are interested can research the right fish for them at
MyRightFish.com.
Enormous Impact Of Movies
Blue tang can be purchased online. Some online stores include a warning that large
saltwater tanks are needed. One site advertised a small blue tang starting at $50, plus $30
for next-day air shipping from California.
Telecky said many Disney movies that feature animals have an enormous impact on those
species. After "101 Dalmatians," many people bought Dalmatian puppies, then abandoned
them.
"Their latest movie, 'Zootopia,' has a cute fox in it, a fennec fox, which is native to Africa,"
Telecky said. "Sales of fennecs have taken off around the globe now."
Rene Umberger is the executive director at Hawaii-based For the Fishes. She said she and
the Humane Society are organizing a publicity campaign. "There is a very real chance that
species of fish could be wiped out, meaning near extinction in the wild," Umberger said.
Her other concern is that fishermen use cyanide to capture the fish, and the poison can
damage the reef where they are found. "The fishermen already report that they must go
farther and farther out from land to find the blue tang, and the movie hasn't even come out
yet."
Quiz
1
2
3
What is the MOST important reason why the Humane Society wants Disney to discourage
people from buying Pacific blue tang?
(A)
because the baby Pacific blue tang do not eat normal fish food
(B)
because too many people want to own the fish after watching Disney movies
(C)
because the fish is an endangered species
(D)
because most people cannot provide the special care that the fish requires
Which of the following people quoted in the article would be most likely to agree that fish sales
do NOT really increase much after movie releases?
(A)
Teresa Telecky
(B)
Marcye Sweeney
(C)
Mike Bober
(D)
Rene Umberger
Read the following sentence from paragraph 2.
The animated movie is a sequel to 2003's "Finding Nemo," which
caused a surge of cute orange clownfish being caught in the wild and
sold at pet stores.
How does using the word "cute" affect the tone of the sentence above?
(A)
It conveys the true reason why people take an interest in the fish.
(B)
It conveys a sense of happiness that the fish are caught and sold.
(C)
It conveys a sense of excitement that people only want the fish because they
are cute.
(D)
It conveys a sense of warmth that the fish is so popular after Disney releases
its movie.
4
Read the following sentence from the section "Enormous Impact Of Movies".
Telecky said many Disney movies that feature animals have an
enormous impact on those species.
Which answer choice has the SAME meaning as the word "enormous" in the sentence above?
(A)
significant
(B)
permanent
(C)
complicated
(D)
amplified
Answer Key
1
2
3
What is the MOST important reason why the Humane Society wants Disney to discourage
people from buying Pacific blue tang?
(A)
because the baby Pacific blue tang do not eat normal fish food
(B)
because too many people want to own the fish after watching Disney movies
(C)
because the fish is an endangered species
(D)
because most people cannot provide the special care that the fish
requires
Which of the following people quoted in the article would be most likely to agree that fish sales
do NOT really increase much after movie releases?
(A)
Teresa Telecky
(B)
Marcye Sweeney
(C)
Mike Bober
(D)
Rene Umberger
Read the following sentence from paragraph 2.
The animated movie is a sequel to 2003's "Finding Nemo," which
caused a surge of cute orange clownfish being caught in the wild and
sold at pet stores.
How does using the word "cute" affect the tone of the sentence above?
(A)
It conveys the true reason why people take an interest in the fish.
(B)
It conveys a sense of happiness that the fish are caught and sold.
(C)
It conveys a sense of excitement that people only want the fish because they
are cute.
(D)
It conveys a sense of warmth that the fish is so popular after Disney releases
its movie.
4
Read the following sentence from the section "Enormous Impact Of Movies".
Telecky said many Disney movies that feature animals have an
enormous impact on those species.
Which answer choice has the SAME meaning as the word "enormous" in the sentence above?
(A)
significant
(B)
permanent
(C)
complicated
(D)
amplified