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Thread: Moorish Idol

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    Insightful Reefer PessimisticOptimist's Avatar
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    Moorish Idol

    I've been fortunate to keep a Cooper-Banded Butterfly alive and well now for > 6 months.

    With this in mind, I thought I would take the plunge on a Moorish Idol.






    - Keith -

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    Grand Master Reefer PhotoJohn's Avatar
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    This should be interesting...good luck

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    Grand Master Reefer CarmieJo's Avatar
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    Good luck! They are a beautiful fish with an abysmal survival rate.
    Carmie


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    Assistant Moderator rayme07's Avatar
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    I wish you the best of luck. What a beautiful fish you have.
    Ray or Raymond
    There is no elevator to success in marine tanks. You have to take the stairs.


    Raymond's 30 gallon tank
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    Insightful Reefer PessimisticOptimist's Avatar
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    I'm trying my best. So far he has taken in some larger Mysis (PC Mysis) and I have been watching him graze on LR particularly targeting a couple small sponges which have grown on and around the LR.

    I am cautiously optimistic. I feel similar to when we purchased the Copper Banded. Nervous, but filled with hope. I figure he has as good a chance, if not better, in my set-up as most others. Fortunately , he seems well adjusted already swimmingly around calmly and inquisitively.

    Thanks for the positive feedback
    - Keith -

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    Grand Master Reefer saltaddict's Avatar
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    Keith - both fish are beautiful. I have nothing but positive thoughts coming your way as I know you can do it. Frankly, if the LFS are going to encourage such specimens to be kept in captivity by purchasing and selling them then SOMEONE has to try to give them a fighting chance. I am proud you are willing to help this fish and you have entered with your eyes wide open and with his interest in mind. He is a beauty.

    What other fish do you have in the tank now?

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    Grand Master Reefer Amphibious's Avatar
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    Hey Keith,

    The Moorish Idol, Zanclus cornutus, is not only my very favorite fish, it is the fish represented in my logo for the last 30 years. They are a challenge! One of the toughest challenges is finding Idols that have been handled properly from capture through the various chains of transport to your tank. From the pictures, it appears you’ve lucked into a good one. I’ll not wish you good luck but good fortune with him. Good Luck implies you can be less than diligent with the husbandry of this delicate fish and of course you cannot. If he were mine, I would feed him all he will eat at a time. I would soak his food in a marine vitamin such as Vita Chem or Sel Con. Having the Copperband a well established resident should be a plus. The Idol should get the idea of feeding more readily as the CB goes after his food.

    I’m excited for you, and a tad jealous.

    Dick
    Amphibious

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    Our Talking Reef Forum The Cultured Reef Forum
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    Amblyeleotris randalli commonly, Randall's Goby.

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    Insightful Reefer PessimisticOptimist's Avatar
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    Quick update for those who were curious.

    After a little over 3 months I am very pleased to announce the beauty is still alive and presumably well, based upon visible dietary habit.

    He/she remains a veracious connoisseur of:

    • Nori (hanged from lettuce clip), usually side by side with the Tangs
    • small Mysis shrimp
    • Reef Formula (RDF) 1 and 2,
    • Clam (also hanged from lettuce clip)
    • chopped Squid
    • And, believe it or not Flake Food (precisely, Ocean Nutrition's Prime Reef Flakes)


    Cheers
    - Keith -

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    Grand Master Reefer CarmieJo's Avatar
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    That is good to hear! How about ?
    Carmie


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    Assistant Moderator rayme07's Avatar
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    Glad to here the Moorish Idol is doing ok. I would love to see some pics.
    Ray or Raymond
    There is no elevator to success in marine tanks. You have to take the stairs.


    Raymond's 30 gallon tank
    Raymond's 60 gallon tank


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    Grand Master Reefer Amphibious's Avatar
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    Hey Keith,

    That’s fantastic news. Congratulations! Your pics above are no longer available. Please update with new ones. I recently was able to buy a 5” Copperband Butterfly that was in captivity for 3 years, obviously eating well. Here’s his pic...



    Would love to see an update pic of your CB and Idol.

    Thanks,

    Dick
    Amphibious

    Good Luck comes to those who research and prepare.


    Our Talking Reef Forum The Cultured Reef Forum
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    Amblyeleotris randalli commonly, Randall's Goby.

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    Our Brotha Down Unda
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    well done bud, although yeah....we're flying blind over here!!! You've tripped on the feed cord.



    Vquilibrium Productions

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    Insightful Reefer PessimisticOptimist's Avatar
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    Specimen introduced to DT on February 27th, 2010. The below Picture was taken this past week. I am grateful to have been able to observe it for the past 5 months. <fingers still crossed>

    - Keith -

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    Great looking Moorish Idle.
    Ray or Raymond
    There is no elevator to success in marine tanks. You have to take the stairs.


    Raymond's 30 gallon tank
    Raymond's 60 gallon tank


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    Grand Master Reefer CarmieJo's Avatar
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    Its a beautiful fish! I hope it continues to do well for you.
    Carmie


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    Grand Master Reefer saltaddict's Avatar
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    Keith - you have done a totally awesome job with the Idol!! Beautiful fish.

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    Insightful Reefer PessimisticOptimist's Avatar
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    Thanks all - I am very pleased it has been able to reside in our Aquarium for this long. I hope <fingers crossed> we can get at least another 5+ months of enjoyment out of her. I realize with species such as this, it is always a tenuous struggle requiring diligence. And, even more importantly, luck.

    I have a general rule of thumb, if a specimen does not survive at least 6 months in our system we should not replace it. Likely a decent and responsible philosophy, but admittedly a difficult one with which to comply. For example, I thoroughly enjoy keeping an arrow Crab. However, I have tried it twice and have never been able to maintain one for more than a 3 month span. Then they suddenly die. Prior to the sudden departure, they seem to be doing fine, i.e. molting, eating, etc. I reach a point where I figure I am doing more harm than good. I am pleased by this MI's ability to survive because it means I can justify, to myself, getting another some day. Selfish me.
    - Keith -

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    Insightful Reefer PessimisticOptimist's Avatar
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    Bump - Update

    6-months and going strong. She is such a beauty. She has even been disheveled at times due to territory squabbles with our Yellow Tang. But her fins have always come back nicely. I am so pleasantly surprised at our success with this specimen. Thanks to everyone for their well wishes. Next thread update will be at 1-year. I hope!



    Last edited by PessimisticOptimist; 09-07-2010 at 07:45 PM. Reason: Typo
    - Keith -

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    Beautiful fish. Glad to see she has been doing well for you. Can't wait for that update in a year.

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    Grand Master Reefer saltaddict's Avatar
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    Keith,

    Congrats on the 6 months with the Moorish. It is a true a beauty.

    Rhonda

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    Insightful Reefer PessimisticOptimist's Avatar
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    Thanks - I still cannot believe I have been able to house one of these challenging species for a relatively long time. It is positive reinforcement at its best.
    - Keith -

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    Grand Master Reefer Amphibious's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by PessimisticOptimist
    Next thread update will be at 1-year.
    Whoa, wait a minute, keith, you can’t expect us to wait 6 months for the next update. You’re not serious, are you? We need to know more often! OK, just kidding.

    Seriously, you have accomplished a challenging task with that Idol. Congratulations! Part of success with the Moorish Idol is lucking into one in good health to begin with BUT, keeping even a healthy one is a challenge. You’ve done a great job!

    Dick
    Amphibious

    Good Luck comes to those who research and prepare.


    Our Talking Reef Forum The Cultured Reef Forum
    My tank journal Amphibious' 135 mixed reef.
    The Cutured Reef toll free number - 888 745-0449




    Amblyeleotris randalli commonly, Randall's Goby.

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    Insightful Reefer PessimisticOptimist's Avatar
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    Hi Dick - you are correct. I was fortunate to find an Idol who had a fighting chance, i.e. in decent health and possessing an appetite. Since then I am blessed with a good stable and established ecosystem, low bio-load, and a diverse/varied diet, and of course, this is for you Dick, the Solaris has to help

    2348(&^%X&*^%S*#^

    Sorry about that. My typing got screwed-up while I as patting myself on the back. Ha!
    Last edited by PessimisticOptimist; 09-08-2010 at 09:14 AM. Reason: Typo
    - Keith -

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    Bump - Update

    I was trying to hold-off until 1-year, but as we are approaching 11 months in our DT this beauty has never looked better. I feel so fortunate to have been able to house such a supposedly delicate species for nearly a year. I am finally at the point where I am not constantly worrying about her survival. I am going to just keep doing what I have been

    Who's there?



    Grazing on Nori with Regal Tank-mate

    - Keith -

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    That's great!
    Carmie


    Only disasters happen fast!





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