Morish Idol

bmwaaron · 06-04-2006, 10:22 PM

I cant seem to find any good information on this fish relating to being reef safe and what size aquarium. Anyone had any experience with them?

gwen_o_lyn · 06-04-2006, 10:26 PM

Difficult to keep, not easy to feed, not reef safe, and need at least a 100g tank

fat walrus · 06-04-2006, 10:31 PM

super difficult. i think they should be left in the wild

Kevin McG · 06-04-2006, 10:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gwen_o_lyn

Difficult to keep, not easy to feed, not reef safe, and need at least a 100g tank

Everything above is correct with the exception of them not being reef safe

They will infact do fine in a reef tank and I actually know two people who have them.

Sorry Gwen

***Rob*** · 06-04-2006, 10:36 PM

i will agree also, they are very hard to keep alive, a better option would be the Heniochus Butterfly, sometimes called the poor mans morish idol.
they are much easier to keep..

gwen_o_lyn · 06-04-2006, 10:41 PM

Lets evaulate the definition of reef safe:

Animals that are considered "reef safe" are generally known to exist peaceably with other typical inhabitants of a reef aquarium.

Because you see this fish in a reef tank doesn't make it "reef safe."

Moorish Idols may nip at corals and other sessile invertebrates. It's diet includes sponges, bryozoans, hydroids, polychaete worms, and algae. They are not reef safe.

I agree with Blubber- these fish need to be left in the ocean or only cared for by expert aquarists. The vast majority of imported specimens starve.

bmwaaron · 06-04-2006, 10:45 PM

Thanks for the info, I havent seen anyone with personal experience and seen very diffrent things on sites that sell them with reguards to how big of tank and if they are reef safe or not. Wasnt sure what to belive but now I have my answer...

fat walrus · 06-04-2006, 10:52 PM

many moorish idols that people think are doing fine are in fact dying slowly from malnutrition. also the sheer speed and agility of the fish ensures that many are chemical captured. buying them will be supporting a negative part of our hobby.

Kevin McG · 06-04-2006, 10:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rob

i will agree also, they are very hard to keep alive, a better option would be the Heniochus Butterfly, sometimes called the poor mans morish idol.
they are much easier to keep..

Remember one thing though there are 2 species of Heniochus, one being acuminatus and the other diphreutes. The diphreutes ARE NOT reef safe so be careful on the selection.