Demand for ‘Dory Fish’ surges, experts warn against impulse buys
INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — The animated sequel “Finding Dory” continues to break records. It led the box office for the second week in a row, making more than $73 million this weekend.
The movie’s popularity has caused a surge in demand for the “Dory fish” across the country and in Indianapolis, but experts warn the fish isn’t for everyone. The “Dory fish” is really called the Blue Hippo Tang — Blue Tang or Hippo Tang for short. The Reef Aquarium Shop owner, Kevin Hoovler, said people call every day asking about the Hippo Tang.
“We’ll only bring in one or two [Hippo Tangs] a week. We’ll sell out within a matter of days, if not the day they arrive,” said Hoovler.
He limits Hippo Tang orders and turns down impulse buyers, in order to make sure his customers understand how to take care of the fish properly. Hoovler said the industry learned its lesson with Finding Nemo, when Clownfish sales spiked.
“A lot of people weren’t paying attention that these were salt water fish. They didn’t make the correlation that they needed to be in a marine environment. The nightmares we were hearing about, people were buying these fish and putting them in fresh water,” said Hoovler.
Richard Duffy just bought a Hippo Tang right before the Finding Dory release. He also bought a Clownfish, for his son when “Finding Nemo” came out in 2003.
“He couldn’t wait. We went out looking, went to the pet stores, looked at the Nemos and he was like, ‘look at this one, let’s get that one’,” said Duffy.
Duffy said he has had fish his entire adult life, and understands the extensive care the fish need. The Clownfish and Hippo Tang are saltwater fish that require a lot of time, money and space to swim. Hoovler said a Hippo Tang should have at least a 75-gallon tank.
“We can have a staff member on the phone eight hours a day trying to explain all this to them [customers],” said Hoovler.
Hoovler said there are smaller alternatives for children interested in fish.
If a customer still wants to buy a Hippo Tang and care for it correctly, Hoovler said a juvenile fish would cost $20-$30 and an adult fish could cost around $60.
Click here to learn more about picking a fish for your child.