Dory (Paracanthurus hepatus) is a young Pacific blue tang fish in the animated film, Finding Nemo.
The blue tang, also known as Dory, is a saltwater fish that belongs to the Acanthuridae family. It is commonly found in the Pacific Ocean and the Indian Ocean. The blue tang is a very friendly and social fish that can be seen swimming in groups of more than 20 fishes.
There is no doubt that Dory is the most memorable character in Finding Nemo. People love her with her memory problems and her funny personality.
She can’t remember things for long like her best friend, Marlin, and she suffers from short-term memory loss. Despite that, she is an optimistic fish who has a cheerful personality.
Dory proves extremely useful during the search for Nemo because she can sense when another fish is in trouble and can hear the sound waves of other sea animals. She makes up for her lack of short-term memory with her ability to hear sounds and detect movements. This is why Dory was able to help Marlin find his son, Nemo.
What Kind of Fish is Dory?
Dory fish are blue tangs. They can be identified by their big eyes and black spots on the body. Blue tang fish is a group of fishes belonging to the surgeonfish family. This fish is nicknamed “blue tang” because of its bright blue color.
The blue tang is a medium-sized fish that has a body that’s about 8 inches long and a tail that’s around 6 inches long. This fish has an oval-shaped body with a pointed nose, which has black-and-white vertical stripes running along its side.
Its backside and tail fin are white or greyish-white in color, while its belly and gills are yellowish or pinkish in color. Its dorsal fin and anal fins are white or grayish-white in color, while its pectoral fins are light blue or green. The said fish has large scales that are tinted with light blue or green, hence why it’s called “blue tang”.
Like most other fish species, the blue tang also has fins that allow it to swim smoothly in the water. It has pectoral fins (at the front part of its body) and dorsal fins (at the back part of its body). It even has 2 anal fins on either side of its anal opening.
The blue tang is a medium-sized fish that has an oval-shaped body with a pointed nose. It has a white or greyish-white backside and tail fin, while its belly and gills are yellowish or pinkish in color. Its dorsal fin and anal fins are white or grayish-white in color, while its pectoral fins are light blue or green.
Dory First Appeared in Finding Nemo in 2003
Dory first appeared in the 2003 Pixar film, Finding Nemo. The film told the story of Nemo, a young clownfish whose father is captured by a scuba diver. With the help of Dory and a stingray named “Bubbles,” Nemo risks it all to find his dad.
Dory is a Regal Blue tang fish who suffers from short-term memory loss. She is voiced by Ellen DeGeneres and was animated by Andrew Stanton and David Silverman. The character was a breakthrough role for DeGeneres, who is otherwise known primarily as a comedienne.
Even though Dory’s short-term memory loss was considered an obstacle to her survival prospects, she is optimistic, innocent, and fearless, which helps her overcome many obstacles. Her faithfulness and optimism have inspired some people with mental disabilities to be more trusting and have higher self-esteem.
Dory has become an iconic character and arguably one of the most beloved in recent cinematic history.
Her inability to remember events for long periods of time proved to be both exasperating and helpful, as she helped Marlin find his son Nemo with her cheerful optimism despite her memory loss. Her endearing personality won over the hearts of moviegoers everywhere, making her one of the most popular characters in Finding Nemo.
The character of Dory has received critical praise from critics and audiences alike for being a unique addition to an animated film, especially since it was feared that she would just be a replacement character for Marlin’s sidekick from Finding Nemo. Instead, they have found that her optimistic.
7 Fun Facts About The Dory Fish
We have all come to know the iconic Dory so much that we would surely want to learn more about her. If you are one of those people who have been wanting to know more about Dory’s species, then you are at the right place. Below are some fun facts about the blue tang fish that are unforgettable in its own right:
Scientific name
It is also known as the Regal Blue Tang and more commonly as the Pacific regal blue tang fish.
Dory’s scientific name is Paracanthurus hepatus, which means “lobefin blue tang”.
Dory is a type of surgeonfish
It is known as a surgeonfish because it has sharp spines located in its dorsal spine (on the back) which is used for defence against predators.
Dory’s Inspiration
Dory was actually inspired by two different species of fish: the Hippo Tang fish and the Yellow Tang fish. However, there was another reason why she had short-term memory loss.
Dory’s size
If you are wondering about Dory’s size, then you may be surprised to know that her length can range anywhere from 12 to 22 inches (30 to 55 cm) and weighs approximately 9 pounds. Her length and weight make her one of the biggest fishes belonging to her genus.
She is not any less beautiful or powerful than her counterparts.
Dorys are very vocal creatures
Dorys are very vocal creatures, emitting a variety of sounds to communicate with one another. These sounds range from squeaks and chirps when they are content, to high-pitched squeaking when frightened.
Dorys use their flippers to feel around them when they swim, and although they do not have much sense of smell or taste, they can still differentiate between edible and non-edible food items.
Dory’s Blue Tang Species Can Be Found In The Pacific Ocean
Now you already know that Dory belongs to the Pomacentridae family, which lives in tropical and subtropical waters around the world. You can find them in the Atlantic Ocean, Indian Ocean, and the Pacific Ocean.
What Makes Them so Blue?
Blue tangs come in different shades of blue. They can have a lighter, sky-blue base color with accents of green or yellow on their bodies, resembling shapes of sunflower starfish with sunny dots. These colors help camouflage them from predators when they’re hiding in coral reefs. They also have bright yellow spots on their faces, which helps them blend in even more!
How To Make Your Fish Tank Fit For A Dory Fish?
Blue tang fish or non-aggressive species of fish. These are mostly found in the wild, but they can be kept as pets as well.
Blue Tang Fish Habitat and Tank Requirements
These fish have blue vertical stripes running down their bodies, with a white body and blue tail fins. As a pet, these fish need to be kept in a saltwater tank, and they are best suited for marine aquariums. They need plenty of space and also need company of their own species.
They are very active and playful. They need a tank that is at least 75 gallons in size with plenty of places to hide. They should not be kept with aggressive fish, but it is a good idea to keep them with other non-aggressive species.
Blue tang fish should be fed a variety of foods, including live brine shrimp, krill, silversides, and mysis. A good way to give them the variety they need is by using different types of prepared foods.
Larger tank
They are very active and playful. They need a tank that is at least 40 gallons in size with plenty of places to hide. They should not be kept with aggressive fish, but it is a good idea to keep them with other non-aggressive species.
They swim around their tanks constantly, looking for food and playing with their fellow companions. They like to play with plants, rocks, and even other fish!
Water Conditioner
A water conditioner is an additive that will make the water safe for your blue fish. The water conditioner contains carbon, which neutralises ammonia, nitrite, and nitrate in the water. It is a very important part of your aquarium’s water cycle. Without it, you would have to change fifty percent of the water every week to prevent harmful toxins from building up in the water and harming your fish.
Fishes need oxygen, as well as all the other nutrients found in their natural environment, such as minerals and trace elements. Conditioner enables these substances to be dissolved in the aquarium water.
Filter
A tank filter is a device that removes solids from the water in a fish tank. It serves the same function as a water filter for an aquarium and is designed to keep the water clean for the fish, plants, and other aquarium occupants.
You can use either a wet-dry or under gravel filter in your fish tank. Wet-dry filters are more effective, but they are more expensive to purchase and maintain than gravel filtration.
Aquarium Heater
You will need this if you live in a cold climate or if you keep tropical fish. This is a device that keeps the water in your aquarium from getting too cold.
A heater will not make the water warm; it will just keep the water from getting too cold. If you live in a cold climate or if you keep tropical fish, you should consider using an aquarium heater.
Aquarium heaters may be submersible or placed inside an aquarium. They are controlled by a thermostat and are usually combined with an automatic temperature controller. It is important to purchase a good-quality aquarium heater because they have the potential to cause fires when they malfunction.
Air Pump
The air pump is a device for oxygenating the water in your fish tank. They are typically powered by electricity and are used to keep the water in your fish tank healthy and clean, allowing dissolved oxygen from the surrounding air to be absorbed into the water.
The air pump can provide oxygen for your aquarium in two ways. After the aquarium has been filled with water, the air pump can use a tube to force air bubbles through the water. In this process, the air bubbles dissolve into tiny air pockets within the fish tank water, providing oxygen for your fish.
Another way an air pump can provide oxygen is by removing some of the carbon dioxide or other gases that are produced as a result of normal metabolic processes in your fish. This process is called aeration, and it also helps to keep your aquarium water clean by removing toxins like ammonia that would otherwise pollute your fish tank.
Substrate
This is a layer of material underneath the gravel on which your plants and animals can grow and live.
Bacteria, plants, and animals all need substrate to live on. The bacteria and plants help cycle the water in your aquarium while the animals eat the plants. Without substrate, your inhabitants will die of starvation.
Tanks with no substrate at all are known as “bare bottom tanks.” They are used for tanks containing fish that aren’t bottom feeders, like angelfish and butterflyfish.
Lighting
Lighting is an important aspect of fish tank maintenance. If you have live plants in your tank, they will require light to survive. They can also be used to grow macroalgae as well.
If you are planning on using live plants, it is recommended that you invest in high-quality lighting for your fish tank. Most plants need a lot of light to survive and thrive. Low light levels may result in stunted growth or even death.
Aquarium Fish Test Strips
They check the alkalinity and hardness of your water. They will help you keep track of the quality of the water in your tank and make adjustments as needed.
Without the right tools, you will find yourself struggling to keep your fish healthy. You need an aquarium test kit that can help you monitor the condition of the water on a regular basis.
Tropical fish are very sensitive when it comes to water quality. The wrong pH or salinity levels can cause them to become ill and even die.
Dory Fish-Frequently Asked Questions
Q. How long will your Dory live?
Dory fish can live up to 15 to 20 years. They can grow to be about 18 inches long and weigh about 4 pounds.
Tropical fish, like Dory, are almost always sold when they are between 2 and 4 inches long. There are ways to tell Dory’s age just by looking at it.
She will live the longest in the ocean where she can swim freely, but if kept well fed and kept in clean water, she will grow to be large and happy, like all fish do when taken care of properly.
Q1. Can Dory fish be kept with other fish?
The short answer is “yes,” but it depends on the type of fish. Some species can be kept in community tanks, while others cannot.
Tetras, catfish, and rasboras are commonly kept together with dory fish and are not aggressive towards each other. However, if you want to keep a dory fish with a cichlid, then it is absolutely vital that you research the fish before purchasing it, as some types of cichlids are territorial and will pick on the smaller fish in the tank. It is not impossible to keep dory with other cichlids, but only if you know your fish well enough.
Q2. Can I keep two different species of Dory together?
Unfortunately, it is not recommended to keep two different species of Dory together in the same aquarium.
There are many reasons why two different species of Dory fish should not be kept together, including the fact that they can hybridize and produce sterile offspring.
Q3. Can I keep a molly with my Dory?
This is also not recommended as mollies are known to eat small fish such as dories.
Q4. What type of teeth does a blue tang fish have?
Dory has a strong set of teeth that enable her to crack open shells easily. Her teeth can also withstand the intense pressure encountered while she scours deep waters for food items such as jellyfish and algae.
Q5. What are the best conditions for Dory?
Dory loves to swim around her tank, so make sure you give her plenty of room and let her swim around her tank. She prefers an environment with lots of plants for shade and shelter for herself. She can adjust to different types of lighting, so it’s up to you what type of light you want in your tank. She also loves a clean tank and likes it when you put fresh water in every week or so.
Conclusion
The blue tang fish is one of the prized fish in the fish market. Finally, aquarists have got the chance to get blue tang fish in their home aquariums.
Its peaceful and well-organized social behavior also makes it a popular choice for saltwater fish keeping. In addition to that, the blue tang’s attractive features with diverting colors make it even more attractive to the hobbyist.
We explained a lot about Dory. All of the information has been collected from trusted resources.
I hope you can get some inspiration or learn something new. Make sure to follow the blog so you don’t miss the next.