this question about Squirt and Crush actually made me pause and think. At first glance, they definitely give off sibling vibes—same laid-back surfer dude energy, same turtle squad, and their interactions are super playful. But digging deeper, I realized the movie never outright confirms they're brothers. Crush calls Squirt 'my little dude,' which could just be a mentor thing, like how older surfers talk to younger ones. The way they banter feels familial, but it’s left open-ended. Maybe it’s intentional, so kids project their own sibling dynamics onto them. Either way, their bond steals every scene they’re in.
What’s cool is how their relationship mirrors Marlin and Nemo’s—looser and more fun, but still protective. Crush lets Squirt take risks (like that gnarly East Australian Current ride), but you can tell he’s got his back. The parallels between the two turtle pairs make me wonder if Pixar was hinting at found family rather than blood ties. Side note: Squirt’s 'Gimme some fin!' line lives rent-free in my head.