Morish Idol vs. Heniochus Butterfly

[jdragunas]

looks like a lot more of us here know about responsibility more than you do... to buy a fish just to see it die is very irresponsible, and it will die. Fact is they don't last in home aquariums, and suggesting that someone actually buy it is irresponsible.

 

[saltn00b]

Originally Posted by eyebedam
Actually your only responsible for the 1 you get. Since your not buying hundreds.
i cant believe nobody said anything to this yet. i dont mean to 'bash' here, just pointing out that your way of thinking is way too short-termed. You are right, you are buying one, but the big picture here is the business process, not your one sale. The store manager sees that the Moorish Idol he purchased for 20 dollars wholesale cost, SOLD for 65 dollars retail, netting him 45 dollars profit (made up numbers for example). ok so how does the manager decide to continue to get more profit? the answer is quite obvious, is it not? ORDER MORE IDOLS. if they sold once, they will sell again, he doesnt care if they live 2 months, 12 months or 50 months. it is a business, and as most businesses, they succumb to the simple laws of supply and demand my friend. In the end, its not your one sale that makes the difference, but the REPRECUSSIONS of your sale.
please stock your aqauriums responsibly.

 

[clown boy]

***)

 

[jdragunas]

noob, you've just been promoted to one of my heros! *googly eyes*

 

[acrylic51]

Then why not buy any fish and corals at all since mortality rate is higher than the success rate?????

 

[jdragunas]

the success rate of almost every other coral and fish are much higher than that of a moorish idol... And the success rate after receiving a healthy fish and/or coral that was shipped is really high, compared to the success rate of a healthy idol, batfish, or any other fish that shouldn't be kept in an aquarium.

 

[clown boy]

You know, there was a time when people thought that all saltwater fish should be left in the sea. This is an interesting debate. ***)

 

[jdragunas]

yes, and they have easily been proven wrong, as is shown by every person here... the moorish idol, however, has been easily proven that it shouldn't be kept in an aquarium.

 

[eyebedam]

It seems to me that the way you think is the only fish one should keep are the ones you approve of. 15 years ago keeping just about any marine fish was either difficult or really expensive because of the equpment needed to do so. Now that times have progressed and technology has made it easier to keep some of the more beautiful fish lots of people are trying there hand at saltwater.

 

[jon321]

Just for the record, I have a friend that kept an idol in a 180g reef tank for 13 months. But still died of unknown causes. Hes going to try another one and see if he can get past that mark. He is learning alot about idol care and was reasonably successful, but hes not your average fishkeeper.
Jon

 

[clown boy]

Originally Posted by Jon321
Just for the record, I have a friend that kept an idol in a 180g reef tank for 13 months. But still died of unknown causes. Hes going to try another one and see if he can get past that mark. He is learning alot about idol care and was reasonably successful, but hes not your average fishkeeper.
Jon
There's always pioneers. ***)

 

[saltn00b]

that seems to be another example of how these fish last 12-13 months and then die. as for eyebedam, what you say has some truth in it, but it does not answer the question of what it is that the moorish idol actually eats or needs in it's daily routine that we as aquarists can not or do not provide. until this is studied and discovered, all one can do is hope they make it to the year mark. And if that is the case, then we are better off leaving them alone until the day comes when somebody can say exactly what the missing link is. otherwise, you are merely, slowly killing beautiful animals.

 

[jdragon]

i agree with noob.
i didn't say either that we could never keep them, i just said you shouldn't keep them now. Maybe when we do find out what kind of environment they'll be hardy in, we can do it then, but until that is discovered, i think we should leave it to the fish that are easily kept alive in an aquarium...

 

[mryoung7]

i asked incredulously if it was a serious question because i honestly didn't know. i know i have seen the op on these boards for quite a while and he is a regular contributor. i just assumed that he would have come across one of the many threads that would make his question unnecessary ... and would make a slightly funny joke. apparently that's not the case so i apologize for my comment.