In contrast to Figaro, Cleo is generally more mature, but nonetheless, affectionate, innocent and sweet. She seems to obey Geppetto's orders, going far to remind Figaro for instance, not to eat his supper until Geppetto returns and successfully finds Pinocchio. She also displays a bit of a playful affectionate side with Figaro, expecting him to give a good night kiss, and even kissing him, much to the little kitten's disgust. Despite this, she also cares for her family dearly, as she is seen briefly comforting Figaro after Pinocchio lost his life from saving Geppetto from Monstro.
Physical appearance
Cleo is a small and slender goldfish with four orange fins. The scales on her upper body are orange while her lower body's scales are yellow. Her face is a peachy color which has powder blue eyelids, purplish-brown eyes, rosy cheeks and red lips.
Cleo is always seen in her fishbowl, often reacting or responding to a situation through silent smiles and water twirls. She appears to be very affectionate, specifically toward Geppetto and Figaro (who seems to hold a mild dislike toward her). When asked by Geppetto whether or not the name "Pinocchio" sounds any good for his latest puppet creation, Cleo shows her distaste, but the name goes through, anyway. Later on, when Pinocchio is given life by the Blue Fairy, he is sent off to school along with the other children. Excited to have a family, Geppetto sets up a delicious dinner, including a small piece of cake for Cleo. Unfortunately, Pinocchio does not return, resulting in Cleo, Geppetto, and Figaro heading out to find them. The trio ends up in the belly of Monstro the Whale, and eventually, give up any hope of escape. As such, Cleo begins to build her own tombstones, knowing she will perish, along with her loved ones, should they not escape or manage to eat. Surprisingly, Pinocchio arrives and concocts a way to free them. The plan succeeds but results in Pinocchio's demise. Geppetto, Cleo, and the others return to their village home and mourn the death of the little wooden boy, only to find his act of bravery granted his revival (via the Blue Fairy). Once this realization dons upon Cleo and the others, a celebration is held.
Cleo played a role in the short under the care of a woman by the name of Aunt Delilah (Mammy Two Shoes). Here, Figaro tries various methods of trying to get Cleo for his supper, only to be stopped by Delilah each time.
Other appearances
The model sheet for Cleo was reused for the featured fish solo dancer in the "Arabian Dance" segment of "The Nutcracker Suite" in Fantasia. Though her fins were made longer to make her a more graceful and sensual dancer.
In Fun and Fancy Free, Cleo appeared briefly, having an encounter with Jiminy, the film's host.
In the Aladdin television series, Cleo also made a cameo in an episode inside the whale with Figaro, while Genie looked like Geppetto.
Cleo also made occasional appearances in House of Mouse. In "The Mouse Who Came to Dinner", she makes a cameo sitting with Geppetto, Pinocchio, and Figaro clapping after the cartoon.
Cleo makes a cameo on the last page of issue #7 of the Darkwing Duck comic book, along with Sebastian and Dory, reacting in shock to the return of the monstrous Paddywhack.
Cleo appears in the 2022 live-action remake of the classic film.
Cleo is first seen in her fishbowl swimming all alone while Geppetto asks Signore Rizzi that his clocks mean everything to him after a dissatisfied review from him. Later when Geppetto happily dances with Pinocchio, he introduces him to Cleo who stares at the wooden puppet's face which she reacts to him in joy. After the music stops, Geppetto bids Cleo a good night just as she backs into a castle decoration in her fishbowl as she sleeps in her home. Later after the Blue Fairy grants Geppetto's wish on bringing Pinocchio to life, Cleo suddenly wakes up as Geppetto asks her to know if she heard something which Cleo gestures to him that she hasn't. Later when Geppetto realizes that Pinocchio is alive just as the two of them dance together during the musical number "Pinocchio, Pinocchio", she is then seen jumping out of her fishbowl in joy while Jiminy Cricket narrates of how Pinocchio became part of Geppetto's family.
Later, during a rainy night when Geppetto could not find any sign of Pinocchio, he holds Cleo in her fishbowl while Geppetto calls out his name, just as Geppetto continues exploring to look for Pinocchio. After Geppetto sold his clocks to buy a boat to look for Pinocchio, Cleo remains in her fishbowl alongside Geppetto's pet cat Figaro who is on Geppetto's side just as Pinocchio attempts to reunite with him only for Cleo, Figaro, and Geppetto to be swallowed by Monstro, alongside Pinocchio. Cleo ended up surviving with her owner alongside Geppetto and his pet cat Figaro.
After Monstro sneezes very loudly due to the fire caused by Pinocchio and Geppetto, Cleo (who is in her fishbowl) manages to get out of Monstro, along with Pinocchio, Geppetto, Figaro, and Jiminy, although Geppetto's boat got smashed in half. Cleo, Jiminy, Geppetto, Pinocchio, and Figaro escape from Monstro who chases them across the ocean seeing a cove from a distance in a plan to escape from Monstro. Pinocchio escapes with them, causing Monstro to slam his head onto a wall. Having escaped Monstro, Cleo manages to survive alongside Figaro just as Pinocchio mourns his father believing he is dead, alongside Cleo and Figaro who also mourn him; Pinocchio sadly sings "When You Wish Upon a Star", a magical tear from Pinocchio drops onto Geppetto, just as he is brought back to life.
After Geppetto is brought back to life, Pinocchio happily notices his father back to life, alongside Cleo and Figaro who happily see their owner back to life. Geppetto then takes Pinocchio (who suddenly transforms into a real boy) back home, alongside Cleo and Figaro just as Jiminy narrates of how Pinocchio became a real boy for proving himself brave, truthful, and unselfish.
Disney Parks
Cleo appears as an Audio-Animatronic on Pinocchio's Daring Journey who pops up and down from her fishbowl in Geppetto's bedroom located in the Pinocchio Village Workshop. She also appeared in the Walt Disney's Parade Of Dreams as an Audio-Animatronic who swims in circles inside her fishbowl on top of the Dreams Of Laughter parade float.
