moorish idol on DD good success rate?

[geaux xman]

I've seen a couple of Moorish Idol on DD the last couple of weeks. I was just wondering if it was someone on here that picked it up.

Anyone thinks that b/c it is from DD, the success rate is much higher?

 

[Dr Colliebreath]

I think what DD has done for you is select a good source (like LA and other good suppliers) and weeded out the fish that won't eat and just die on you. Plus if a fish is sick, they have people treating the fish who do it for a living. Beyond that, they don't have special sources and you still have to adapt the fish to captivity. It is a huge advantage to start with a fish that is eating and has been observed by experts.

 

[Paul B]

I have had many moorish Idols and they all ate. That is not the problem with those fish.

 

[125mph]

What is the problem? Mysterious deaths? hehe

 

[r-balljunkie]

I have one I caught wild personally and these are very very hardy species, but my thinks poor shippers.
I had some funky parasites on him, so gave him a FW dip, tweezed what I could off. soon as he got in my display tank, shot to the bottom and got nabbed by my rogue crab, then a tug of war battle with me and the crab. with all that said, recovered well, alive and kicking today. the streamers are beautiful to look, eats anything that hits the water.

i dont think you can say vendor specific guarantees success.
gl

c

 

[nonstopfishies]

I think what DD has done for you is select a good source (like LA and other good suppliers) and weeded out the fish that won't eat and just die on you. Plus if a fish is sick, they have people treating the fish who do it for a living. Beyond that, they don't have special sources and you still have to adapt the fish to captivity. It is a huge advantage to start with a fish that is eating and has been observed by experts.

LA is DD. They select a good supplier, which is QM(quality marine). DD does not get to choose what fish are shipped to them. They receive shipments just like any other store would. They just happen to have top of the line equipment to keep pristine water. They do also have a dedicated staff that does help with the procedures if a fish is sick.

The advantages DD provides.

1. Pristine water so they have been able to recoup from the long trip from the ocean.

2. They have been in that water for at least 2 weeks so the turn around time isn't as fast as when you buy from the LFS(assuming you don't let the fish stay there for a couple weeks).

That's it. No magic. No special suppliers. Nothing else.


It does help in keeping difficult species to an extent. It is still hit or miss based on the individual fish. Most importantly it comes down to how prepared you are to take care of that fish with knowledge, equipment, and treatments.

 

[Paul B]

What is the problem? Mysterious deaths? hehe

The problem is that almost all fish live 15+ years but no one that I have ever heard of with a tank in their home has ever kept one over about 8 years. I can get 5 years out of them which stinks. I went to Tahiti to dive and learn about them and I found that they usualy live in mated pairs and the male leads the way and finds the food which is always sponge. I found a sponge in NY that they love and thats what I feed them. My 5 year old died in an accident.

 

[rssjsb]

Paul - do you harvest the sponge yourself?

 

[Paul B]

Yes I do

 

[spieszak]

Paul - its a "cold water" sponge? I'm on the left coast from you and have a friend who's interested in idols. Wondering if you could share a picture or more information about the sponge your harvesting..

 

[125mph]

I've been very successful with DD fish. They make sure the difficult fishes are eating well and "fat".. The potters I got from them was very fat and started eating within a week. I just got a juvi regal angel a few days ago from DD too, and he started eating the 2nd day. Hope he makes it

I did have a potters angel from a LFS that had him for over a month and they got him eating on everything (even flakes). He ate on the very first feeding after I introduced him to the tank too.. So you can get the same quality from a LFS too.

 

[Paul B]

its a "cold water" sponge? I'm on the left coast from you and have a friend who's interested in idols. Wondering if you could share a picture or more information about the sponge your harvesting..

Stacey, I have a picture of it somewhere but it must be in my archives because I can't find it. I don't have a picture of it in the sea but basically it only grows on floating wooden docks in the summertime (so you may not be able to find it on the west coast).
It looks exactly like those tan mushrooms you sometimes find growing on rotting logs. It grows about 2 or 3" off the floating docks and is about 1/4" thick and shaped like human ears, more or less. It grows a few inches below the surface and is easy to grab and just tear off the dock. You have to freze it as soon as possable because it deteriates in a few hours and I have had no luck keeping it alive in a tank. I am sure it is photosynthetic because it does not grow more than a few inches deep.
There is a bright red sponge here that grows with it that resembles a tree or a gorgonian but they won't eat those.
Notice the avitar right above my post? It is that color and looks almost exactly like that only it is smooth.

 

[shaka]

I have had tried twice with Moorish Idols from LA ( not their DD branch). The first was actually a weak looking, emaciated specimen that did not last their 14 day guarantee. I was surprised they even shipped it (normally all fish I have recieved from them are excellent). They did give a refund. The second one was absolutely beautiful. I even got him feeding from my hand while in quarantine. Unfortunately, he just died "the mystery death" a day after I put him in my DT. The only other occupants were a Heniochus Bfly, Green Chromis, and Regal Angel. I suppose it could have been the angel, but she is generally very shy. I did not receive a refund, not only was it past their guarantee, but I felt it was beyond their control and more of my responsibility. That being said, I still would purchase from LA and DD because of their customer service and overall quality of livestock.

 

[Dr Colliebreath]

LA is DD. They select a good supplier, which is QM(quality marine). DD does not get to choose what fish are shipped to them. They receive shipments just like any other store would. They just happen to have top of the line equipment to keep pristine water. They do also have a dedicated staff that does help with the procedures if a fish is sick.

The advantages DD provides.

1. Pristine water so they have been able to recoup from the long trip from the ocean.

2. They have been in that water for at least 2 weeks so the turn around time isn't as fast as when you buy from the LFS(assuming you don't let the fish stay there for a couple weeks).

That's it. No magic. No special suppliers. Nothing else.

The difference in buying from DD rather than a lfs that also sources from QM is that DD holds the fish until they are eating plus observes them for disease for some extended period, thus effectively weeding out fish that die without eating or that come observably diseased. Those two factors, coupled with their 14 day guarantee, is a tremendously good start on successfully adapting a fish to captivity. Beyond that, however, a DD Moorish Idol isn't any more (or less) likely to thrive on aquarium fare than a healthy Moorish Idol from another vendor.

 

[nonstopfishies]

The difference in buying from DD rather than a lfs that also sources from QM is that DD holds the fish until they are eating plus observes them for disease for some extended period, thus effectively weeding out fish that die without eating or that come observably diseased. Those two factors, coupled with their 14 day guarantee, is a tremendously good start on successfully adapting a fish to captivity. Beyond that, however, a DD Moorish Idol isn't any more (or less) likely to thrive on aquarium fare than a healthy Moorish Idol from another vendor.

Thank you for repeating exactly what I said. Their 14 day guarantee doesn't make the fish any more likely to live, it just could save you money. Also, LA as a whole offers that, not just DD.

 

[djkms]

I got my MI from DD this last February. It did not eat for the first 3 days but now eats everything. I feed PE Mysis, Rods and NLS pellets. He also eats almost half a sheet of Nori a day. Great, hardy fish.

IMO DD is the best place to pickup a MI. Short supply chain (as short as can be I guess), they get em eating and accustomed to aquarium life before selling. I have yet to have a issue with a DD fish and most my tank inhabitants are from DD.

 

[BrooklynFishGuy]

I just picked up a Moorish Idol on DD this past Tuesday. I've always been reluctant and avoided these guys but I felt like trying it out. This guy was eating New Life Spectrum pellets, spirulina flakes, nori and mysis. I feel personally in order to keep these guys thriving is to try to feed them often as you would an anthias. With that being said, you have to consider the bioload that brings, which affects your water quality. I read somewhere a fellow keeper was going as far as doing a 50% water change weekly. I personally wouldn't go that far but it's imperative to check your parameters constantly. This might be bold statements for a first timer but I feel this is key.