Magnetic Island's Clownfish Disappearance

By James Tugwell

ABC North Qld

Topic: Oceans

Thu 11 Jun 2026 at 7:33am

Locals called their resident clownfish 'Island Nemo'.

It was small, only 2 centimeters long, but bright and distinct, hiding in a carpet anemone.

The movie Finding Nemo made clownfish famous.

When a 'true nemo' appeared on Magnetic Island in 2022, locals were excited.

'Island Nemo' was special because it was the first one seen on the island.

Here is a picture of 'Island Nemo' as a baby.

Lawrence Scheele said it was the first recorded 'true nemo' on Magnetic Island.

Locals enjoyed seeing 'Island Nemo'.

Lawrence Scheele saw 'Island Nemo' while diving.

For four years, Mr. Scheele watched 'Island Nemo' grow up.

Then 'Island Nemo' disappeared.

Finding Nemo

Two weeks before, two snorkellers shared a photo of 'Island Nemo' online.

'Island Nemo' has not been seen since.

Locals think 'Island Nemo' might have been taken.

Locals have not seen 'Island Nemo' since its location was shared online.

The timing of 'Island Nemo's' disappearance is suspicious.

This 'Nemo' survived many big events, but when it was taken, there was no big disturbance.

'Island Nemo's' disappearance seems too coincidental.

'The go-to fish'

James Cook University's Morgan Pratchett said 'Island Nemo' is not worth much money.

Morgan Pratchett says 'Island Nemo' has symbolic value.

But Dr. Pratchett said 'Island Nemo' has special meaning.

Clownfish do not usually move, so if it wasn't taken, it might have died naturally.

Someone with a home aquarium might have taken 'Island Nemo'.

The 'go-to fish' is a 'true nemo'.

Scale of the problem

Morgan Pratchett says many people do not know that fish and coral poaching is a problem.

More work needs to be done to understand how big the poaching problem is.

There are concerns about the coral industry in Australia.

The threat to coral is more serious because it is easier to take.

Some coral species that appear overseas can only come from Queensland.

A useful tool

Marine scientist Adam Smith uses iNaturalist to track species.

Professor Smith said iNaturalist has a safety feature to protect rare species.

Adam Smith likes citizen science on the Great Barrier Reef.

The safety feature is to stop people from taking advantage of rare species.

The feature did not work for 'Island Nemo' because it is not on the endangered list.

Every tool has good and bad points.

Fears for the future

Mr. Scheele likes iNaturalist but wants people to be careful with the information they share.

Lawrence Scheele is worried about the future of the reefs and wildlife.

When he talked to the people who posted 'Island Nemo's' location, they were very upset.

They said they did not know anyone would take the fish, but it was too late.

We are very worried about the future and what might happen to other species.

If someone posts the location of a sensitive species, what else might be taken?

Thu 11 Jun 2026 at 7:33am

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