Anybody in COMAS have Moorish Idols?

[papagimp]

I'm fixin' to obtain a new tank from a friend of a friend (blah blah) and I'm assured it's at least 100 gallons, possibly a 150. My first thought was "I can finally get the Regal Tang I've been wanting". And then I realized that a Moorish Idol would be nice too. I'm 100% aware of how finicky they can be and whatnot. I'd like someone locally I could talk with about these awesome fish.

 

[Russ Braaten]

I don't think a moorish idol is right. God said so. He even mentions fish specifically. The second of the Ten Comnmandments says:

"You shall not make for yourself an idol, whether in the form of anything that is in heaven above, or that is on the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth. "

Bwahahaha

 

[Pamela]

Good one Russ

Why not try Banners? We love
ours and think they are just as cool.

 

[Travis L. Stevens]

FWIW, I don't know anyone in Oklahoma that has one or has kept on long term. That doesn't mean that someone doesn't. I'll try to remember to ask around the next time I go shop hoppin'. Maybe a couple store owners will know someone.

If it helps any, Paul B here on Reef Central has had a Moorish Idol for a number of years.

 

[papagimp]

Just FYI before anybody posts a "don't get one of those" messages. I would not attempt any hobby where I wasn't completely confident that I could manage. I know they are harder to keep than most fish and I'd be willing to do what was needed to ensure it's survival. That being said, the punks I was getting my new tank from backed out on me at the last second, I was home waiting for it and got a call saying, "sorry, where going to give it to so and so". I was so crushed, I had dreams all week long of a big beautiful tank in my living room full of awesome reef fishies. Oh well, guess I'll have to settle for the other 5 tanks in my house. =o) BTW pamela, I love the banners but something bout those moorish idols just facinates me.

 

[Paul B]

Papagimp, I will not tell you not to get a moorish Idol (I will think it though)
You mention that they are harder to keep than most fish, that is not entirely true, they are almost impossable to keep long term. I can make that statement because I have been doing this for over fifty years and it is the only fish I ever had trouble keeping even over five years. The one I have now may make it, he is about three. You said you would do whatever it takes to keep them. I said the same thing so I first went to Bora Bora to dive with them and see what they were eating and how they spend their time. Next I found a place locally in New York where I can collect live sponges as that is their main diet. As far as I can tell, you can't buy sponge commercially. My 100 gallon 6' long reef is much too small for the one I have. I feed it three times a day with the sponge and other things I collect in the sea.
Have fun and good luck.
Paul

I took these in Tahiti