"FINDING NEMO" THE CLOWN FISH

Ever since 'Finding Nemo' became a box office hit, kids have been clambering to get their very own home movie star.

'Finding Nemo' follows the comedic and eventful journeys of two fish — Marlin and his son Nemo — who become separated in the Great Barrier Reef when Nemo is unexpectedly taken far from home and thrust into a fish tank in a dentist's office overlooking Sydney harbour. Buoyed by the companionship of a fish named Dory, the overly cautious father embarks on a dangerous trek and finds himself the unlikely hero of an epic journey to rescue his son — who hatches a few daring plans of his own to return safely home.

Nemo is a colourful Clown fish with striking orange and white colours. They have been popular among home hobbyists for some time, but have not commonly been kept as pets by children.

Most pet stores now sell Clown fish. Individual fishes cost $25 to $30 each. Additionally, you should also only buy Clown fish as an individual or a mated pair - otherwise they are likely to fight each other over territory. If buying a pair you can expect to pay $60 to $70.

If you are thinking of buying a Clown Fish, make sure you check carefully with a good pet store about everything you need to get a healthy aquarium started.

Some stores are now offering packages that start at $470. This includes a small tank, filter, light, heater, salt, dechlorinator, substrate and a hydrometer to measure salinity. A tank that holds 30 litres will house two Clown fish and is easy to maintain, however, investing in a larger tank is preferable.

Once you have established the tank, allow approximately four weeks for the tank to settle and develop the necessary bacteria to support life before adding the fish. It is recommended to place a rock fresh from the ocean in the tank. A rock fresh from the ocean will have lots of living organisms attached, which will increase the filtration surface area.

The tank should be cleaned on a fortnightly basis with small water changes (approximately 20 per cent).

The Clown Fish is an active fish and will interact with you especially around feeding times. With the right equipment and investment, the children will have finally found their very own Nemo!

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