moorish idol

[TIMMYE]

I agree with research before purchase. There have been a few here for sale localy, and they just parish in the tanks of the store because no one wants to try. Good luck with them. IMO I would take them back and tell LFS that you got them at, to better inform there customers if they are looking for long term survial and a good reputation.

 

[xxseawolf]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9722402#post9722402 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by blueseahorse
One sure way to keep a moorish idol forever is to tattoo a picture of one on your back!

why would you put it on your back? why not on your chest or arm so YOU can see it, not your back where your partner or friends can see it.

 

[BrianD]

Re: thanx...

Re: thanx...

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9723720#post9723720 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by wozz
thanx celebrityovernight... yeh there nearly fully grown. ive read that they are hard to keep and that sorta stuff and they like grazing on live rock, which i have plenty of in my tank...yeh they eat every now and then, im feeding them mysis and flake...they are in a tank with 2 occ. orange, 2 occ black, banana wrasse and a blue tang...they all get on fine....

myb i was just looking in the wrong places for all my information....

Yes, if you were looking for support for the decision, you indeed came to the wrong place.

 

[celebrityovernight]

Yes, if you were looking for support for the decision, you indeed came to the wrong place.

i don't think he was looking to get support for his decision, more like information to keep them alive.

 

[xxseawolf]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9725899#post9725899 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by celebrityovernight
i don't think he was looking to get support for his decision, more like information to keep them alive.

i agree, even if he made a mistake help him out. i dont agree with bringing it back to the LFS cause someone else(probably someone with LESS knowledge) will buy it.

 

[xxseawolf]

Re: moorish idol

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9719812#post9719812 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by wozz
hey i have just pruchased a pair of moorish idols and cant seem to find much information about them on the internet.
I was wondering if anyone could help me out???

if you have the financial means i would get at least a 150g(6'+ tank) and try to salvage those idols and your blue tang in your 55g or 75g tank(or whatever size you have).good luck.

 

[davocean]

You could start diving and collect the live sponge to feed them like PaulB does.
That's how you keep them alive long term

 

[celebrityovernight]

i agree, even if he made a mistake help him out. i dont agree with bringing it back to the LFS cause someone else(probably someone with LESS knowledge) will buy it.

my point exactly! what keeps another noob from picking him up right after they're returned?

 

[davocean]

Because if he sells them, he'll keep selling them.
If there's a market for it....
So one idol goes back, educates LFS, and more idols go undisturbed and don't die.

 

[Paul B]

I am afraid you will not be able to keep one, much less two Idols in a 4' tank. They are impossible to keep in an 8' tank. I can say that because as far as I know no one has kept one for ten years.
I have been keeping them for almost 30 years and I dove with them a number of times. It is not just food but you should read the moorish Idol thread. In the sea they eat mostly sponge which you can't really buy. They live in mated pairs and swim in 100 yard circles around the reef searching for sponge. I wouldn't know how to keep one in a 4' tank, but I will say that I did keep some in my 40 gallon tank many years ago. They diden't live long. They get about 7" long and should eat at least three times a day. My only advise would be to try to sell them to someone with a larger tank.
Good luck.
Paul

 

[unicornis]

I have a fren that kept moorish idol for a very long time. they are definately not reef safe, his destroy his whole reef and was passed to someone with FOWLR...

Have you ever seen a 5 inch rock of zoos been cleared in matter of hours overnight? What was scary was that anything that belong to the zoos was cleared and what was left was a sparking clear live rock

 

[wozz]

yeh i wasnt looking for support in my decision, in which i havnt got any and i didnt know any of that info before...

i indeed am looking for information on how to keep them alive.

and also whats the dif between t5 and t8, i currently have t8 and am changing to t5 because in know it is much better, but im not sure why..

so any info on how too keep these guys alive would be grateful...

 

[davocean]

You just got the best advice from the main idol keeper himself.
I'm sorry if it sounds like we're bagging on you or not being supportive.
Just being honest.
Over the years I've seen so many posts, "wow, look at my idol"
Followed a couple months later with "how did my idol die?"
Idols should be a special order fish by guys like PaulB that have the means to keep them alive long term.
If LFS keep them in stock, we will continue to have people like you buying them on a whim with no idea what they're in for.
And I think that sucks, waste of $, and a bummer day for you and you're idol.

 

[wozz]

no, i thank all of you for your help whether good or bad...at least i can do my best to keep them alive for as long as i can..
I also went and asked my LFS about the sponges and that and he said that he has had customers kept them alive for about 4 - 5 years still alive, whether true or not that is what he said.

thanx to everyone for you help....