If You're Looking for Nemo, SeaScape Studio is a Place to Start

Those interested in starting a salt water aquarium hobby can do no worse than to watch the Disney/Pixar movie "Finding Nemo," says Joe Faszl, owner of SeaScape Studio, 3802 S. Lindbergh, Sunset Hills.

Faszl's store is packed with aquariums, featuring denizens of the deep swimming around in tanks that include coral and other amenities. No mermaid figurines or pirte treasure chests were evident, but those may be tucked away out of sight.

What Faszl DID have were dozens of clean and spiffy salt water tanks that hold exotic fish from around the world.

His advice for beginners starting a salt water aquarium? Watch "Finding Nemo" is based on knowing what kinds of fish will do well and what species new aquarium owners gravitate toward.

Nemo himself is better known as a Clown Fish that are black or gold with white stripes. Gold is the familiar color of Nemo from the movie.

Another fish from "Finding Nemo" is Dory, AKA a Hippo Tang fish. The Hippo Tang comes in blue with a blue belly, or there is a yellow-bellied version.

The Royal Gramma is a striking species in vibrant shades of purple and yellow.

A Yellow Tang is similar to its Hippo Tang cousin and displays a striking yellow color.

One other Nemo-esque resident of SeaScape Studio is the Sea Star, which Faszl says most people call a starfish.

Faszl says there is a common misconception about keeping and maintaining a salt water aquarium. The biggest misconception? "That it's hard," he said. "but if you set it up correctly, it's easy."

The first step is to get things set up, which SeaScape will guide people through. And then, "Once it's set up, you leave it alone," he said.

Faszl said most people have to resist the urge to play with the fish, or move things around or generally "mess around" with what should be just left alone.

"You build an ecosystem and leave it alone," Faszl said.

And, SeaScape is always available for advice and a helping hand, especially for those new to the hobby.

He says it takes about $1,000 to get started with a 70-gallon aquarium and equipment. The fish are extra, of course, and depend on each person's preferences as to what species to purchase.

Beginners typically gravitate toward the "Nemo" clownfish and other "characters" from the movie. And, they most likely should not include a Fairy Wrasse, a fish that will set you back $1,500 apiece, or the choati wrasse, a fish that is half the price ($700) for two.

Faszl said the Fairy Wrasse isn't necessarily rare. He said the price is a reflection of how hard it is to get one. The Australian fish is only found at one "secret" site in Australia and is a "four-day boat ride" to that location, he said.

Faszl is getting ready to share his salt water fish expertise on About.com with about 10 "expert" videos on the startup and care of salt water aquariums.

If you can't find Nemo at SeaScape Studio, here's a clue. There is an aquarium full of them near the front door.