Was Nemo's dad actually a female?

Credit: iStockPhoto

Here at the intern desk we have become fish-crazy!

Ever since the hagfish story landed on my desk, we can't get enough of underwater critters! (Now, if only someone would buy me a pet dolphin…)

From transparent octopi to anglerfish that fuse together in the most disgusting fashion to reproduce, we're becoming experts on fish and their fabulous little lives living in the deep blue. Next thing you know, the other intern Mara and I will give up on becoming journalists to spend our days snorkelling in the tropical reefs along the coast! (The only problem being that I panic when I can't see the bottom.)

We've studied surgeonfish that enjoy massage in pretty much the same way that humans hit up day spas; the swimming patterns of blobfish; and the creation of a fully artificial coral reef that is fish-approved! Yup, we are living and breathing the world of fish! (I'm even working on a countdown of the ugliest sea creatures.)

Also, did you know eel-skin wallets aren't usually made from eels at all? They're made from hagfish skin! I'm so sad one of my favourite fishes had to die for my coin purse. I might need to start a charity: Save the hagfish!

Our fish of the week this week is the CLOWNFISH. What's so special about the clownfish, you ask? More than the inspiration for our favourite fishy movie, Finding Nemo, the clownfish starts life as a he and has the ability to become a she (other fish do this too, but they're not as cute as Nemo).

In a pod of clownfish, the female fish is the largest, the breeding male is the second largest, and the non-breeding other males descend in order based on importance. If the female dies, the breeding male morphs into a female and the largest non-breeding male becomes a breeder and so on, so forth. It's all pretty wacky and awesome. (Wait - does that mean Nemo's dad was a female? Think about it… - ed)

Of course, we interns discuss more than just fish… (We're not crazy, you know). Common topics include how disgusting we are (we are both battling the flu - among other illnesses) and the most important question of all: what's for lunch today?

Over and out!

~Georgia