Post created by Amanda
Probably one of the most popular and well-known Disney films to date is the movie centered on a family of clownfish named “Finding Nemo.” And while almost everyone knows the plot of one dad’s mission to find his lost son Nemo, not many fans know about the one, minor detail that Disney left out that could have had major impacts on the entire plot and essence of the movie itself – the fact that clown fish are hermaphrodites (‘Finding Nemo’ Is a Hermaphroditic Lie, Says Science).
For those non-sciencey people who have never heard of this strange term before, to put it simply a hermaphrodite is an organism that is “born one sex, but can change to another” (School of Anthias). Clownfish specifically are classified as protandrous hermaphrodites, meaning that they hatch out as males, but can turn into a female as needed later in life (School of Anthias). But more than just the ability to become female, clownfish have the very, very strong desire turn into a female if no other female is present (Clownfish Are All Born Male).
The importance of this fact becomes glaringly obvious when we consider the plot of Finding Nemo, especially the first scene where Nemo’s mom and all of his siblings die before they’ve even hatched – leaving only him (still in his egg) and his dad, Marlin, as the survivors. The rest of the movie consists of Nemo getting kidnapped and his dad, Marlin, traveling across the ocean trying to find him. But if it was scientifically accurate… none of this would have happened.
Instead, as soon as Nemo’s mom had died, since there were no other female clownfish around, Marlin would have immediately begun the several-week-long transition to become a reproductive female (‘Finding Nemo’ Is a Hermaphroditic Lie, Says Science). Though this sexual transformation may not have prevented Nemo from getting lost, it certainly would have stopped Marlin from going out to save him, since as a female it is now her job to stay in the anemone and protect it at all costs – meaning she rarely, if ever, leaves the anemone. And, if a new male comes along, she will begin to mate, lay eggs, and protect them too. Through this period the “new” Marlin wouldn’t bother to go and rescue Nemo, instead being preoccupied with her new life as a female and protector of the anemone , and totally ruining the entire focus of the movie (‘Finding Nemo’ Is a Hermaphroditic Lie, Says Science).
That being said, the film could still progress following Nemo’s escape and journey back to his home, except it certainly would have made for a surprise ending when Nemo returns to his home only to find not his dad waiting for him, but his mom!
Hiskey, D. (2016, June 17). Clownfish are All Born Male, a Dominant Male Will Turn Female When the Current Female of the Group Dies. Retrieved September 17, 2020, from http://www.todayifoundout.com/index.php/2011/08/clownfish-are-all-born-male-a-dominant-male-will-turn-female-when-the-current-female-of-the-group-dies/
Murphy, M. (2017, July 17). 'Finding Nemo' Is a Hermaphroditic Lie, Says Science. Retrieved from https://nypost.com/2017/07/17/finding-nemo-is-a-hermaphroditic-lie-says-science/
National Geographic Society. (2012, November 09). School of Anthias. Retrieved September 17, 2020, from https://www.nationalgeographic.org/media/anthias-wbt/
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