The Moorish Idol Thread

[pinnatus]

Well, I guess my point is that even if it got taken by the powerhead, it will grow back, and it grows fast. Maybe the fish will learn to stay away. It has not happened with mine as far as I know. But, the banner does break off from time to time for various reasons...

 

[qtfv]

So the gist is let the fish learn and don't stress over it. I feel a little better. Thanks. I was thinking to cover the powerheads with small netting. Would that reduce the chance, or am I just gonna make the powerhead clog?

 

[ThRoewer]

TTM isn't as easy to do as everyone makes it out to be. A lot more people lose fish attempting TTM than you realize. I stopped doing TTM, would always lose the fish unexpected before it was complete. I have much better success with CP

IME TTM is best suited for small fish that are not finicky eaters or otherwise sensitive fish.
In general, the only prophylactic treatment I do is a formalin bath. Otherwise I only treat on an as needed basis if something shows up during the two months quarantine period. So far I didn't have to treat much.
Cryptocaryon I only treat if I see that the fish can't handle it on their own - most of the time they beat it without interference or treatment.
If I have to treat against Cryptocaryon, I prefer hyposalinity as it is the easiest for me and least stressful for the fish. So far it worked every time.

If I would want a Zanclus, I would set up a large enough tank with live rock and macro algae as QT and only add the fish after the tank is well natured.
The selection of the right specimen is another key factor. Don't ever buy a fish that isn't eating or at least searching and picking at things in the tank.

Sent from my XT1254 using Tapatalk

 

[pinnatus]

So the gist is let the fish learn and don't stress over it. I feel a little better. Thanks. I was thinking to cover the powerheads with small netting. Would that reduce the chance, or am I just gonna make the powerhead clog?

I would think it would clog pretty fast. What type of powerheads do you have?

 

[qtfv]

I would think it would clog pretty fast. What type of powerheads do you have?

I have a Tunze 6025, Jebao RW8 and RW4. Thinking of a coarse filter black pad used in koi ponds. It's 1" thick and stiff so I could form a cover that can slide in and out of the powerheads for easy maintenance.

 

[pinnatus]

Doesn't hurt to try.

 

[FWC]

To play devils advocate, I actually have a good review of tank transfer for Moorish Idol!

Had an Idol and Leopard Wrasse in observation for a few weeks eating well, and then did tank transfer. Both ate a bit during transfer, and were eating well within a day after placement in the display tank. Idol is still alive and eats literally any food I feed. Leaves soft corals alone too (haven't tried anything with a skeleton yet though)

 

[pinnatus]

To play devils advocate, I actually have a good review of tank transfer for Moorish Idol!

Had an Idol and Leopard Wrasse in observation for a few weeks eating well, and then did tank transfer. Both ate a bit during transfer, and were eating well within a day after placement in the display tank. Idol is still alive and eats literally any food I feed. Leaves soft corals alone too (haven't tried anything with a skeleton yet though)

Mine left soft corals alone for a while...until it discovered it like zoas. Shortly thereafter, no more zoas.

 

[m0nkie]

mine would munch of SPS here and there... so far it's leaving the zoa alone..

all my clean up crew are dead... MI is pretty good at catching flipped over snails

 

[Callum96]

I'd love an idol. Just read a fair chuck of this thread but still slightly concerned about it destroying my sps.

 

[m0nkie]

I'd love an idol. Just read a fair chuck of this thread but still slightly concerned about it destroying my sps.

you need to keep them fed. I've been using giant clams lately. same size as my hand. 1 clam and the whole tank feeds on it for 2 days. 2 clams a week. When I stop feeding aggressively, the MI would bite the tip of SPS. not much damage. all my sps frags are fine too. but whenever I see bite mark, I drop a clam in.

you just need to decide if the MI is worth the effort

 

[Naraku]

I think I figured out where I went wrong.
I kept on dumping food and the water would get cloudy and ammonia probably built up.

Instead, I should make sure they are feeding before attempting ttm.

To play devils advocate, I actually have a good review of tank transfer for Moorish Idol!

Had an Idol and Leopard Wrasse in observation for a few weeks eating well, and then did tank transfer. Both ate a bit during transfer, and were eating well within a day after placement in the display tank. Idol is still alive and eats literally any food I feed. Leaves soft corals alone too (haven't tried anything with a skeleton yet though)

 

[m0nkie]

I think I figured out where I went wrong.
I kept on dumping food and the water would get cloudy and ammonia probably built up.

Instead, I should make sure they are feeding before attempting ttm.

to keep TTM clean, I only feed frozen Hikari mysis. it's one of the cleanest mysis. thawing water is crystal clear. I still rinse it after. the mysis that doesn't get eaten get sucked out after 30min. Had much better success rate after

and I now do TTM after keeping the fish in holding tank for 2 weeks to 1 month. Make sure they gain some weight first. This is when you can try all variety of food to get it eating. MI loves clams and spirulina brine shrimp

 

[Callum96]

you need to keep them fed. I've been using giant clams lately. same size as my hand. 1 clam and the whole tank feeds on it for 2 days. 2 clams a week. When I stop feeding aggressively, the MI would bite the tip of SPS. not much damage. all my sps frags are fine too. but whenever I see bite mark, I drop a clam in.

you just need to decide if the MI is worth the effort

Really? That's great. So keeping them fed they generally don't really go after polyps unless they have to and it's perfectly doable to keep a moorish idol in an sps reef? I do have a clam, may have to remove that do you think?

 

[m0nkie]

Really? That's great. So keeping them fed they generally don't really go after polyps unless they have to and it's perfectly doable to keep a moorish idol in an sps reef? I do have a clam, may have to remove that do you think?

clam has to be removed. took my MI 3 days before nipping at the clam.

every fish is different, you need to test your luck on this. I have 2 MI in 2 different reefs. I've been lucky so far. About a year now.

 

[Ouscazz]

New MI owner from Sweden. Thanks to this fantastic thread and the knowledge spread through here, I am now a happy owner of three fine young Moorish Idols. After three days in the tank, they are eating everything I offer them.

 

[heuerfan]

I was shocked to see a fairly young idol start to eat pellets and flake food at my lfs. So decided to give him a try, its been a week and so far he continues to eat spectrum pellets. Goes for nori but doesn't seem to like it yet. He is in a 55 gallon all to himself until he fattens up. This is my second attempt at a moorish idol, tried one over a decade ago..... Fingers crossed

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/WElkssy44cw" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

 

[pinnatus]

Some nice idols. Best of luck!

 

[Breakthecycle2]

New MI owner from Sweden. Thanks to this fantastic thread and the knowledge spread through here, I am now a happy owner of three fine young Moorish Idols. After three days in the tank, they are eating everything I offer them.

It wont last. You will absolutely have to re home two, unless they kill each other.

 

[pinnatus]

It wont last. You will absolutely have to re home two, unless they kill each other.

That is my experience also.