When Nemo is placed in the dentist’s fish tank in Finding Nemo, the other fish give him the new name “Sharkbait.” The nickname reflects their playful initiation ritual for newcomers to the Tank Gang.
Nemo arrives in the aquarium after being captured by diver Philip Sherman and taken to his dental office in Sydney. The tank’s residents, led by Gill, include a moorish idol, a starfish, a pufferfish, a shrimp, and other fish. They are prisoners in the aquarium but have developed their own community and escape plans.
The name is especially ironic because Nemo is a small clownfish, while the tank’s “shark” theme is part of the group’s humor and bravado. The phrase is repeated as a chant during his introduction, making it one of the film’s most memorable lines. Viewers sometimes remember “fish bait” instead, but “Sharkbait” is the nickname used in the movie. Nemo eventually earns the group’s respect through his courage and his role in helping disrupt the tank’s filtration system.