'Finding Nemo' at the Oklahoma Aquarium in Jenks

The movie "Finding Nemo" is swimming in success, grossing almost $900-million world wide since it was released in May. <br><br>It is the best-selling DVD of all time. It received an Academy Award nomination

Wednesday, January 28th 2004, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

The movie "Finding Nemo" is swimming in success, grossing almost $900-million world wide since it was released in May.

It is the best-selling DVD of all time. It received an Academy Award nomination as Best Animated Feature Film and "Nemo" has had a huge impact on the Oklahoma Aquarium. News on 6 reporter Rick Wells has the story.

â€œFinding Nemo" the animated movie, is perhaps the best thing that ever happened to aquariums. Kenny Alexopoulos with Oklahoma Aquarium: "Nemo's what's in right now, it's the hot topic."

There are more than 100 exhibits at the Oklahoma Aquarium and a relatively small one is must see stuff for nearly everyone who comes here. Kana Rackley: "Nemo right here." 2 year old Kana Rackley knows her fish and that's Nemo, her mom can't get to leave. Michael: "Can Nemo get out?â€ Mom: "Can he get out?? No.â€ 3 year old Michael wants to give Nemo a hug.

That's the way it's gone here since the Oklahoma Aquarium opened last summer. That Nemo movie has sparked lots of visitors. Mom: "You like Nemo, yeah." 2 year old Hannah has seen the movie, oh, 2 times.

Just so we can make this visit a little educational, there are some baby clown fish they're about 6 to 8 weeks old. It will be another six months before they're big enough to live safely with the other fish. There are more on the way. Mom and dad Clown fish are tending to some tiny eggs.

In the gift shop they wish they could hatch some new Nemo merchandise. Jesse Pope with the gift shop: "It's a real hot item, we've actually sold out." Not completely but most of the kid stuff is gone, for now. There are new exhibits coming, one day, some laggerhead sea turtles will be out for all to see and later this spring there will be a sting ray touch tank, but for now the big guy is a little fish.

Gayle Sinclair with the gift shop: "We're hoping Nemo is the next Mickey Mouse." I bet.

If youâ€™d like more information on finding Nemo at the Oklahoma Aquarium, you can visit their web site at www.okaquarium.org.