Is there a reef safe alternative?

Mr Smiley

New member
I am trying to research fish for our future tank. My wife wants a "Finding Nemo Fish Tank" including the Moorish Idol. From what ive read they can be a nightmare to keep alive.

So is there a reef safe alternative?
 
Are you looking for a physically similar fish? I am not quite sure what you are trying to accomplish.
 
Are you looking for a physically similar fish? I am not quite sure what you are trying to accomplish.

Im looking to see if there is a basically carbon copy of the Moorish idol. Same physical looking fish, color, but not a Idol. Ive seen what is called the poor mans Moorish Idol, the Longfin Bannerfish. But this is also considered not to be a Reef Safe fish.

But i could be wrong :bigeyes:
 
the heniochus butterfly is Similar, aka the poor mans Idol, but it is NOT reef safe. but as you will find in SW fish, there are rarely ever 2 alike. they are also hard to keep too. the Moorish Idols have been kept but only by very experienced hobbyist and only in larger tanks.

OH and Bloat would eat Jacques.
 
the heniochus butterfly is Similar, aka the poor mans Idol, but it is NOT reef safe. but as you will find in SW fish, there are rarely ever 2 alike. they are also hard to keep too. the Moorish Idols have been kept but only by very experienced hobbyist and only in larger tanks.

OH and Bloat would eat Jacques.

So its looking like "Nemo" tank is coming up with fish that are extremely difficult to care for, or just dont get along together.
 
So its looking like "Nemo" tank is coming up with fish that are extremely difficult to care for, or just dont get along together.

But they make great movie characters! :D

Maybe try taking the wife to a local fish store. There are many AMAZING fish that are reef safe and easy to care for, for her to choose from.
 
funny ive got my girlfriend telling me the same thing about a nemo tank, when i told her it wouldnt work out she got all ****ed off and wants to add a yellow tang to my tank and ive already plan on adding 4 other tangs, Chevron,Hawaiian Longnose black, Hippo tang, powder blue, and maybe a purple tang
 
But they make great movie characters! :D

Maybe try taking the wife to a local fish store. There are many AMAZING fish that are reef safe and easy to care for, for her to choose from.

Yes they do! and thats all i hear is nemo...Nemo...NEMO! I Dont have vary many stores here in Columbus Indiana. I have a Petco thats local. I have to go to Greenwood (about 40 mi north) to a Uncle Bills but Im not allows to shop there, no do i want to. Lots of people have said they have high Copper in their water. I also have The Reef in downtown Indianapolis but im not very impressed with them. I have not been to Premium Aquatics in Indy or Inland Aquatics in Terre Haute, they are about 5 hour RT.
 
funny ive got my girlfriend telling me the same thing about a nemo tank, when i told her it wouldnt work out she got all ****ed off and wants to add a yellow tang to my tank and ive already plan on adding 4 other tangs, Chevron,Hawaiian Longnose black, Hippo tang, powder blue, and maybe a purple tang

Never heard of a Purple tang before, let alone have seen one.
 
Maybe try taking the wife to a local fish store. There are many AMAZING fish that are reef safe and easy to care for, for her to choose from.

Ahh I just remembered, she really Likes the Snowflake Morey Eel and the Long horn CowFish. Both of wich i know nothing about other then the Eel is a good escape artist that is a poo factory.
 
From Columbus Indiana Premium Aquatics is actually pretty close. I've done work in Columbus before and have driven 65 south numerous times. You are probably looking at about an hour to get to the store.
 
Yes they do! and thats all i hear is nemo...Nemo...NEMO! I Dont have vary many stores here in Columbus Indiana. I have a Petco thats local. I have to go to Greenwood (about 40 mi north) to a Uncle Bills but Im not allows to shop there, no do i want to. Lots of people have said they have high Copper in their water. I also have The Reef in downtown Indianapolis but im not very impressed with them. I have not been to Premium Aquatics in Indy or Inland Aquatics in Terre Haute, they are about 5 hour RT.

You could come down to Jeffersonville, IN, about an hour north on exit 4 and you have GreenTree Pets. Greentree is pretty good, and I would def call it my LFS of choice around here. I work in Jeffersonville, IN and actualy travel to Columbus frequently as we have a disaster recovery site up there. Actually just went there last week :)
 
p-74331-tang.jpg


awesome fish. I had one and had to sell it due to moving. I do miss my purple. you dont see them much in the stores lately.
 
If you want a bannerfish the one that is the most "reef safe" is the Heniochus diphreutes. It's the H. acuminatus that will nip corals.
 
p-74331-tang.jpg


awesome fish. I had one and had to sell it due to moving. I do miss my purple. you dont see them much in the stores lately.

This is a beauty! I will have to consider this fish......... after i have had the tank set up for awhile, especially since its more then $100
 
You could come down to Jeffersonville, IN, about an hour north on exit 4 and you have GreenTree Pets. Greentree is pretty good, and I would def call it my LFS of choice around here. I work in Jeffersonville, IN and actualy travel to Columbus frequently as we have a disaster recovery site up there. Actually just went there last week :)

Ive seen it from the road but have never been in. Id love to find a good LFS. I may have to make a trip down there when i have time.
 

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