Here’s hoping Finding Dory doesn’t lead to a bunch of real dead fish

Pixar recently released its Finding Nemo follow-up, Finding Dory, to strong reviews and stronger box office performance. The film centers on Ellen DeGeneres’ titular regal blue tang, who braves the ocean and Albert Brooks’ occasional apoplexy to reunite with her family. But conservation groups—including the Human Society and For The Fishes—are concerned that the movie’s popularity will put real-world regal blue tangs at risk.

According to the director of For The Fishes, the world’s blue tang population can’t support the kind of prolonged interest that the quick-breeding clownfish has had to face. “This species cannot endure increased demand,” she said. “It’s already in decline in the wild.” Blue tangs grow up to a foot long and eat a specialized diet, making them a tricky prospect for most home aquariums. They also don’t breed in captivity, meaning they have to be captured live, often via techniques that damage their local ecology.

For its own part, Disney is also trying to stop its silly, conservation-themed fish comedy from accidentally flushing a whole species of wildlife down the toilet. The company has issued pamphlets and PSAs to help people select pet fish from less vulnerable populations, and is working with major pet retailers to educate consumers on not missing the point of its movie quite so disastrously hard.

[via Variety]

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