Moorish Idol

florida joe

florida joe

Well-Known Member
my club members say min is 130 g for what its worth one member has stated that his maxed out at 9 inches but i did not see it with my own eyes
 
aquaknight

aquaknight

Active Member
The actual 'purpose' of the Moorish Idol's streamer is still not determined. As a tiny planktonic larva, they have a long third dorsal fin that's twice the length of the larva which turns into the streamer as the fish develops. Probably helps the larva move/drift better in the oceanic current. I'm betting the streamers when the fish has fully developed, is really just a leftover, and not a sensory organ or anything like that as some suggest, since Idol's in captivity do equal well (or poor as the case may be) with or without their streamers.
Fish fins health themselves very quickly. A necessity in the ocean. 2" in 3 days is impressive though, but with these fish, who knows?
Just curious as to what you feed the Idol, vkuroczka?
 
vkuroczka

vkuroczka

Member
right now he's getting purple and green seaweed sheets, and mysis shrimp soaked in zoe, garlic and reef plus. not very interested in the seaweed but does nip at the mysis shrimp. here's a pic, best I can do, he's hard to take a pic of will get better pic when husband brings good camera from work.
 
aquaknight

aquaknight

Active Member
Did any of your research indicate that they also need sponge based foods as well as greens? (like Large Angels) Have you tried any sponge foods?
 
florida joe

florida joe

Well-Known Member
FYI Heniochus acuminatus Similar looking fish much easier to care for But must be watched with corals better choice for reef tanks are Heniochus diphreutes
 
crimzy

crimzy

Active Member
Originally Posted by vkuroczka
http:///forum/post/2880898
right now he's getting purple and green seaweed sheets, and mysis shrimp soaked in zoe, garlic and reef plus. not very interested in the seaweed but does nip at the mysis shrimp. here's a pic, best I can do, he's hard to take a pic of will get better pic when husband brings good camera from work.
If he's not eating much yet, try getting live clam or scallops from the grocery store and crack them open. That helped my idols start to eat.
 
srfisher17

srfisher17

Active Member
Originally Posted by crimzy
http:///forum/post/2880989
If he's not eating much yet, try getting live clam or scallops from the grocery store and crack them open. That helped my idols start to eat.
Mine too. There seems to be a lot of folks who assume Idols are herbivores and closely related to Tangs. They are more closley related to Angels & Butterflies and are omnivores. I think a lot of failures are caused by trying to feed the Idol nothing but Algae & sponge. They will eat anything; once they start eating SOMETHING. At that time, they need a varied diet & vitamins (Selcon,etc). To get them eating; I strongly suggest meaty stuff first, offer algae & sponge at the same time if you want. The cracked clam is the best trick I know to get almost any fish eating.
 
vkuroczka

vkuroczka

Member
Tried the clam, didn't touch it. Also threw in a piece of LR from DT into QT. I think there may be a small sponge on it, lots of coraline algae and feather dusters on it tho.... maybe he'll pick on it....also have the clam soaking in garlic, and zoe ...maybe he'll nip at it tonight..not too worried about it.
 
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