morrish idol or heniochus butterfly

[yeffre kix]

I reallly like the looks of the moorish idol, but i've heard they are very difficult to keep alive. They eat clams ? Does that mean no show clams in my tank ? What about the Heniochus Butterfly? It says "monitor" in a reef. Whats the scoop on these guys? I think they look very elegant, but not at the expense of other inhabitants.
:help:

 

[angelofish]

Ive read that theres 2 kind of H.Butterfly. One is supposed to be reef-safe. Do a search here and you can find out more. I think theres pics too.

 

[dogstar]

Very difficult to get Morish Idols to eat in aquariums. There natural diet is certain sponges. There is someone on the board that has one and time will tell. If you must try one , make sure its eating befor you buy it. I dont think they are a threat to corals unless they are not being fed properly and that goes back to the eating problem.
As for as the Heniochus goes, which one? There are several. Most common are longfin = H. acuminatus and scooling = H. diphreutes that look idintical yet the schooling is reef safe and the longfin is not. But most all " bannerfish " are pretty hardy fish.

 

[guineawhop]

you want heniochus diphreutes aka schooling bannerfish. it is not destructive to reef tanks and is pretty hardy just make sure you have a mature tank with some room to swim. i wouldn't even try the moorish idol, these things look close enough.

 

[scubadoo]

Moorish Idols have a 95% plus death rate in the home aquarium. many will die for every once in a blue moon Idol that thrives for years in the home aquarium.
The only way to even have a shot is to purchase a juvenile...the collector that caught the fish needs to get him/her eating right away (how to you know). THey require constant water quality with little to no fluctuation. They are very easily spooked and will simply stop eating. Once you have this fish in your tank....you need to get it eating within the first few hours. There thin-like body means they cannot survive long once they stop eating or refuse to start. The decline happens quickly and the end comes swift.
Keep in mind there is no way to check the validity of any story posted on this board. Also, success in this hobby is measured in years not days, weeks months are one year.
Their demands are such that it is very difficult if not almost impossible to provide the appropriate enviornment for these animals to thrive. Get the butterfly....you'll be happier.

 

[harlequin]

They are a tough little fish, I lucked out and found a tiny juvenile about an inch long at my LFS. He has put up with being picked on by a bi-color angel and occassionally by a pair of pink skunk clowns and looks great and survived it all. Definately my favorite spastic fish heheh. H. Diphreutes. Doesnt care about coral.