Pixar’s 2003 blockbuster Finding Nemo was so successful that Finding Dory got its own feature film.

We all know that Nemo and Marlin are clownfish. What kind of fish is Dory, though?

The clownfish was the first to be popularized in the marine fishkeeping hobby after the movie Finding Nemo. They are now common in saltwater aquariums around the globe.

Are there ways to raise Dorys? You can even raise Nemo as well as Dory in one tank.

Today’s blog will answer all these questions as well as many more. So dive in!

What kind of fish is Dory?

Dory, from Finding Nemo/Finding Dory, is a Royal Blue Tang – scientifically called Paracanthurus Hepatus – from Indo-Pacific.

This spirited blue fish has black stripes and a bright yellow tail. It is also known as Palette Surgeonfish.

The name can be misleading, I will admit. The color of the fish doesn’t always match its blue hue. The fish can appear stark white at night, with some violet accents, because there isn’t enough light to reflect off its pigmentation.

The fish turns yellow when it is young.

But what’s the point?

Royal blue tangs are one of 70 species of surgeonfish, which is a group of fish known for their sharp, venomous tails. The spines are usually held close to the body but can be extended to create a frightening figure if the fish is threatened or agitated.

They can grow to as much as 12 inches (31cm) in warm water at 2-40m depth.

Blue tangs eat plankton as a primary food source when they are young. As adults, however, blue tangs are omnivores and eat both plankton and other invertebrates.

The oceans and seas are home to the Dorys. Because they graze on algae that have been grown on coral reefs and prevent it from becoming overgrown, this is vital because it helps corals to be protected.

Blue tangs use coral reef structures to hide from predators such as tuna, barjacks, and groupers.

How Much Is A Blue Tang Fish?

Blue Tang fish can be purchased for as low as $60 to $250 depending on their availability.

Can You Raise Dory From Finding Nemo At Home?

It is a real bummer. Blue Tangs (aka Dorys) are not allowed to be raised in your aquarium. They are not ideal pets, despite how adorable they look in Pixar films. They can grow to almost one foot in length and require a large tank.

They are also known for their nasty temperament. They are also often illegally obtained under inhumane practices.

Here are some thoughts to help you think about why blue tangs can’t be raised at home.

101 Dalmatians were first released in 1996. It led to an explosion in the sales of the black and white spotted breed. People bought them blindly without understanding their temperaments and needs. This resulted in thousands of dalmatians being placed in shelters each year.

When Harry Potter and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles were released, the same happened to owls and turtles.

The public jumped on board the Finding Nemo train once more, putting the fish in tiny 1-gallon tanks or flushing it down the toilet after the excitement had ended.

Clownfish were caught in unsustainable ways, resulting in a significant decline in their numbers in the Philippines and Indonesia.

Put on your thinking cap before you decide if Dory is truly your choice.

If you are still unsure, here are some reasons blue tangs shouldn’t be in your aquarium.

Blue Tangs Are Costly

Blue tangs can cost between $60 and $250, depending on their size and availability. If you are a saltwater enthusiast, you won’t find this price too outrageous. Let me now get to the part that is going to cost you an arm or leg.

Blue tangs prefer 250 gallons tanks. An average tank this big with the equipment inside will cost between $3000 and $10,000.

Trust me, I didn’t create that number. John Nixon, Captain Nemo’s Aquarium Store in Pennsylvania, is the author. He’s an experienced hobbyist who trades marine fish.

I’m not even talking about the amount of time and money that you will spend on maintaining the fish. If you don’t know how to market your blue tang tank, the cost of raising it is not worth it.

Let them be.

Blue Tangs Will Bring Disease To Your Tank

Blue tangs will cost you a lot to raise, so you would expect them to be healthy and hardy. Do you know that they are susceptible to ich?

These fish are extremely susceptible to Cryptocaryon Irritatans, a super contagious parasite that can wipe out entire tanks in one hit.

Although copper, UV, and other treatments can be used to keep ich away in stores, there is a very high chance that blue tangs will contract marine ich after being exposed to a new tank.

You probably know exactly what to do to get rid of the ich, and what the implications will be for your corals and other invertebrates.

You Need To Feed Blue Tangs Thrice A Day

Blue tangs are hungry. They need to be fed at least three times per day. A few fish flakes will not suffice. These fish are strong carnivores. They should therefore be fed meaty meals every day.

Plankton and algae will not suffice to satisfy their hunger for food and the constant need to graze.

This is enough to make my point. If you can make gourmet meals for Dory all day, I consider you fortunate and privileged.

It’s impossible for most people. It is not possible to afford the time, money, and effort required to prepare healthy, balanced meals for these fish.

Don’t forget to consider that they can live anywhere from 8 to 20 years. So it’s definitely a long-term commitment/investment.

Managing The Tank Will Be Challenging

Blue tangs need to be kept in an environment that is similar to their natural habitat. This means that you should keep them in coral reef tanks. Coral tanks are not for everyone.

Anybody who has ever kept a saltwater tank knows how difficult it can be to maintain a coral reef tank, especially for novice aquarium keepers. It is extremely difficult to control and replicate these parameters.

Even more frustrating is the fact that your delicate tang fish will need to be kept in an aquarium for 6 months.

Blue Tangs May Sting You

Blue tangs are known to stab each other with their razor-sharp spines at their tails. Because of their sharp spines, these fish were placed under the surgeonfish classification.

These spines can get caught in the nets while you are maintaining the aquarium. This could cause severe cuts and wounds.

It is possible that other fish in the tank might feel the effects of the venomous bites of the blue tang.

Handling is very important. I would not recommend raising blue tangs if you are new to the saltwater hobby.

Blue Tangs Need A Very Big Tank

Within two years, blue tangs can grow up to a foot in size. They are also avid swimmers. These fish require a large tank.

A 180-gallon aquarium is a minimum required. An aquarium that is more than 6 feet in length, 2 feet high, 2 feet wide, and nearly 1 ton when full of water will be considered a minimum requirement. That’s enough space to house one blue tang fish.

Do you believe it’s worth it?

It is difficult to manage tanks this large. These tanks require a lot of saltwater knowledge and dedication, which is only possible after many years of experience.

Blue tangs can be aggressive towards small tanks and will stab their tankmates with razor-sharp teeth to cause havoc.

However, I wouldn’t blame the fish. If someone who is meant to swim in the big blue ocean freely is kept within the 4 walls of a fish aquarium, it’s not surprising that they will get mad.

Your Blue Tang May Be Illegal

Blue tangs, like many tropical species, are difficult to breed commercially. There is a possibility that your fish was illegally taken from the wild.

They are being taken from coral reefs in large numbers, threatening the ecosystem and their native population. Do you even know how they were collected?

They are captured by fishermen using cyanide. This can be used to either inject it into the water or to spray it directly at the fish. The hope is that some of the fish will come up for easy scooping.

Guess what? Now, you can bet that fish exposed to cyanide poisoning will eventually succumb to organ failure. It is possible to spend thousands of dollars on a habitat for your blue tang. However, the fish could simply die without you knowing.

Let’s not forget about the negative effects cyanide can have on water and coral reefs.

Frequently Asked Question

Is Dory an Angelfish?

Dory isn’t an angelfish. It is a Royal Blue Tang. Dory is often mistaken for an angelfish because they have the same royal blue colors.

How long do Blue Tangs live?

Blue Tangs can live between 8 and 20 years. Their lifespan is reduced when they are kept in captivity and often have to live with less than ideal tank conditions.

Are Blue Tangs Aggressive?

Blue tangs can be aggressive fish. They are even more hostile towards surgeonfish and other tangs. They won’t tolerate any fish that looks even slightly like them.

Blue tangs can be particularly angry while they are spawning or feeding.

Are Blue Tangs Poisonous?

Yes, blue Tangs can be poisonous. The poisonous blue tang fish contain ciguatera, a toxin that causes vomiting and diarrhea.

You may experience severe headaches, muscle aches, and hallucinations.

What was Dory’s role in Finding Nemo?

Pixar’s 2003 animated feature Finding Nemo features Dory running into Marlin while he chases down the boat that took his son. The pair then discovers a pair of goggles that have the address of the divers.

Dory is able to read the address, which is a good thing. They soon found themselves in Sydney, Australia. It wasn’t an easy journey. The couple narrowly avoids being attacked by sharks as they swim through a jellyfish forest.

Marlin was able, despite all the hardship, to be kindhearted and outgoing thanks to Dory.

Overall, Dory was a great help in reuniting Marlin and his son Nemo, despite her memory loss.

It is important to remember that Dory was not just a comedic relief role in the film. Her message was clear: Disabilities don’t prevent anyone from being joyful and heroic.

What was Dory’s role in Finding Dory?

Dory’s role in Finding Nemo was so beloved that Finding Dory got her own movie in 2016. The film’s title suggests that the plot revolves around Dory’s origins.

Dory’s short-term memory loss has left her with hazy memories of her parents and her origins. As the film plays out, it reveals that the much-loved sidekick-turned-protagonist herself got lost when she was only a child.

With the help of Bailey, a beluga whale, Hank, a cranky octopus, and Destiny, her childhood friend, Dory sets off to discover her origins.

The film ends with a touching scene in which she has reunited once again with her parents and Nemo and Marlin.

Do Blue Tangs Bred In Captivity?

There have never been any blue tangs kept in captivity. This means that almost all blue tangs in the hobby are wild and not subject to unspecified pressure.

What Kind Of Fish Is Nemo?

Nemo, a clownfish, is an ocellaris clownfish. Also known as anemonefish or false percula clownfish, There are 30 species of clownfish. They all share a special symbiotic relationship with sea anemones.

Nemo is almost identical to the percula cluckfish,, but you can still see subtle differences between an Ocellaris clownfish and a percula cluckfish.

What Kind Of Fish Is Gill?

Gill is a Moorish icon. Moorish idols, a peaceful species, are often mistaken for a surgeonfish when they are juveniles. They are distinguished by their absence of venomous spines close to the caudal fin, which is something that surgeonfish are famous for.

Final Words: What Kind Of Fish Is Dory?

Finding Nemo’s Dory is based upon a fish called paracanthurus Hepatus, who goes by many names including royal blue tang and hippo tang.

These fish are one of the 70 species of surgeonfish that are feared for their toxic tails and sharp, poisonous spines.

It would be amazing to recreate Finding Nemo at home. However, royal blue Tangs are not suitable pets due to their need for space, expensive maintenance, and poisonous stings.