Question About Moorish Idols.

[SuAsati]

That are being sold on your website. Do you make sure they are eating well before shipping? If so, would you be able to tell me which prepared/live foods they are taking? I would like to make it the center piece in my 300 gallon tank, but do not want to watch them wither away starving. Will appreciate your response. Thx

 

[dfs/la2]

SuAsati,

Yes, we do make sure all of our fish are healthy and eating before they are shipped. Our fish are visually monitored during feeding to ensure that they are eating. The Moorish Idols are eating frozen Mysis and Brine shrimp and look great!

Ginger K.
LiveAquaria
Drs. Foster & Smith

 

[honda2sk]

Re: Question About Moorish Idols.

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10142912#post10142912 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by SuAsati
I would like to make it the center piece in my 300 gallon tank, but do not want to watch them wither away starving.

That is going to happen no matter where you buy them from. They will die. When? Most likely within the first year or two. Why do you ask? Nobody knows. Only thing we know is they will die. Now they have been kept successfully in public aquariums with Olympic sized aquariums with a school of them and plenty of their natural fare (sponge), but you my friend do not have that kind of environment for him.

But good luck with your temporary ornament.

 

[DFS]

honda2sk,

Thank you for offering your opinion on the long term success with Moorish Idols. Although these fish are very challenging to maintain on a long term basis, we have had numerous success stories from some of our more advanced customers on their long term success with these fish.

I would recommend not purchasing this fish if aquarists are unsure that they can provide the proper husbandry for this delicate species.

Moorish Idols are aggressive fish among themselves so marinating a single specimen in a very large aquarium is the ideal scenario. Tank mates must be non aggressive species so that the Idol can be the dominant fish in the mix. A varied diet consisting of algae sheets, vitamin enriched mysis, and foods designed for angelfish that contain sponge are ideal. Small feedings several times per day is a must, as this fish loves to graze for food all day.

The collection techniques, holding, and transportation of these fish play a major role in the success of maintaining this species long term. From my experience, Moorish Idols collected in Hawaii, Fiji, or Tahiti are the only ones to consider purchasing as they are collected properly, and transported quickly to the US.

I hope this helps provide you with some more insight on this beautiful fish.

Cheers!
Kevin Kohen
Director of LiveAquaria
Drs. Foster and Smith