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Finding Nemo's Real Story
All clownfish are born male, and can permanently change to female — meaning in Finding Nemo, Marlin would have become Nemo's mom.
Clownfish
Amphiprioninae
Made famous by Finding Nemo, clownfish have remarkable abilities to change their biological sex.
Vital Stats
🏷️ TypeFish (damselfish family)
🌍 Found InTropical Indo-Pacific — live exclusively in sea anemones
📏 Size7-16cm depending on species
⏳ Lifespan6-10 years
🔞 Sexual Maturity2-3 years
💕 Mating SystemSequential hermaphrodite — dominant fish becomes female
📅 Mating SeasonYear-round, peaks tied to lunar cycles
👶 Offspring100-1,000 eggs per clutch (male guards eggs)
🍆 Penis Size5.0 mm
⏱️ Sex Duration2 hours
🔬 Notable AnatomyAll born male; dominant individual becomes female if she dies, largest male becomes breeding male
⚖️ Sexual DimorphismFemales larger than males; reversed size hierarchy