yoboyjdizz
Active member
Thats good to hear! Try getting your hands on some frozen angel&butterfly formula foods containing sponge as well.
The Moorish Idol Thread
- Thread starter zfunk007
- Start date
Kolognekoral
New member
OK, we're three days into it and my Zanclus has discovered flakes, amongst other items, such as artemia and mysis. He doesn't seem to like krill. Maybe just too large, and he completely ignores algae, other that which he can rasp from the rocks. Bits of fish are taken as well. What I find interesting is his lack of interest in sponges, which proliferate amongst my rocks. Perhaps he is still too young or simply finds enough small items to cover this part of the diet. He's putting on weight quite rapidly, therfore I think he's gonna make it. He's already made himself the king of the tank, much to the chagrin of my Coradion, who is not amused!
ALso add a bottle of tiger pods every other week just for extra live foodWhere are things at with MO
Where are things at with MO
Just curious as to how people have come along with keeping Moorish Idols. I have been a long fan since the young age of about 7. Always dreamed of having one but stayed away all these years do to poor success rates. Honestly I feel these fish should be banned from collection but maybe things have improved over the last 20+ years.
I have a 180g in the works which will be dedicated to SPS so excellent water parameters, lighting and tons of flow are the goal. Tank has been running with live rock only for almost a year now but I still need to setup additional flow and a Profilux controler ($$$ aye!)
Should I still stay away? Obviously I would only add the MO once the tank has settled some more but I would only consider it if any new break threw progress has been had. Has anyone figured out the magical sponge they eat or whatever it is which causes them to slowly die of malnutritien?
Where are things at with MO
Just curious as to how people have come along with keeping Moorish Idols. I have been a long fan since the young age of about 7. Always dreamed of having one but stayed away all these years do to poor success rates. Honestly I feel these fish should be banned from collection but maybe things have improved over the last 20+ years.
I have a 180g in the works which will be dedicated to SPS so excellent water parameters, lighting and tons of flow are the goal. Tank has been running with live rock only for almost a year now but I still need to setup additional flow and a Profilux controler ($$$ aye!)
Should I still stay away? Obviously I would only add the MO once the tank has settled some more but I would only consider it if any new break threw progress has been had. Has anyone figured out the magical sponge they eat or whatever it is which causes them to slowly die of malnutritien?
Re: Where are things at with MO
Re: Where are things at with MO
I've had mine for a few years now (approx 3 yrs), with no problems. Lots of personality. He's a voracious eater. He gets a diet of mixed frozen foods and flakes and nori. I think as long as you vary the diet malnutrition shouldn't be a problem. Up until recently he didnt even bother my corals much, but now he's developed a taste for zoas. Seems to ignore the sps corals. Leaves my clams alone too. I think the key is to keep them very well fed, so they're less prone to pick at the corals. This might be counter productive in an sps tank as it coud impact water quality a bit.
Re: Where are things at with MO
I've had mine for a few years now (approx 3 yrs), with no problems. Lots of personality. He's a voracious eater. He gets a diet of mixed frozen foods and flakes and nori. I think as long as you vary the diet malnutrition shouldn't be a problem. Up until recently he didnt even bother my corals much, but now he's developed a taste for zoas. Seems to ignore the sps corals. Leaves my clams alone too. I think the key is to keep them very well fed, so they're less prone to pick at the corals. This might be counter productive in an sps tank as it coud impact water quality a bit.
Re: Re: Where are things at with MO
Re: Re: Where are things at with MO
3 years! Thats fantastic. Sounds like you have passed the typical 1 year deader than a door knob stage. I also noticed you did not mention anything relating to food containing sponge. Is the jury still out on that one? Either way, seems whatever you are doing is working well. Do you feed it more than 1 time per day or once a day is sufficient? Also, I was thinking about the SPS and lots of food myself. I agree with you there that perhaps this would affect water quality but I think that could be countered with agressive skimming, the weekly water changes that go with SPS, a phosphate reactor and so on.
Cheers and thank you for the update. Congrats on the success so far as well. Good to know that people are finding ways to keep these beautifull fish alive.
Re: Re: Where are things at with MO
3 years! Thats fantastic. Sounds like you have passed the typical 1 year deader than a door knob stage. I also noticed you did not mention anything relating to food containing sponge. Is the jury still out on that one? Either way, seems whatever you are doing is working well. Do you feed it more than 1 time per day or once a day is sufficient? Also, I was thinking about the SPS and lots of food myself. I agree with you there that perhaps this would affect water quality but I think that could be countered with agressive skimming, the weekly water changes that go with SPS, a phosphate reactor and so on.
Cheers and thank you for the update. Congrats on the success so far as well. Good to know that people are finding ways to keep these beautifull fish alive.
Kolognekoral
New member
THP,
what Cougarman is doing, is simply one more success story for what was once a very desirable, yet misunderstood fish. For beginners they are not, but the few I have held did not die from malnutrition. Various other mishaps led them to fishy heaven and I am the guilty party! Not the diet.
Many are experimenting with sponge as a major portion of the diet with success. I have never fed it to my Zanclus in the past and my new one shows no interest in it. There is plenty growing in my aquarium. Whether it is important to the diet or simply a leaned part of the diet by certain zanclus populations...well, i have no idea. I have had success in the past with typical fleshy foods, such as muscles, fish and artemia, plus various algaes from the Asian Food market. I've yet to experience troubles with my corals being bothered, but i have no clams, therefore no comment.
As I just added my new Zanclus last week, i can tell you he looked undernourished and chancy at the LFS, but he was eating, along with the other Idols in the tank. I took a chance, hoping that he was not a cyanide victim or otherwise mishandled and set him directly into the reef. He has spots in 2 days, which is typical, but has a clean skin again, as of yesterday. He eats everything at this point, having required a few days to catch on to the algaes and is becoming a candidate for weight watchers!
Yes, they can be kept and for long periods of time. As with any specialized fish, they have requirements, such as room to swim and a varied diet. Also, let's not forget excellent water quality. If the aquarist is willing to put in the time to understand the fish and provide for his needs, I see no reason why they won't succeed. Of all the things that have improved since aquarist first attmepted to keep Zanclus, i would say that water quality and nutrition are the two biggest changes that now allow almost all fishes to be kept. Even the Aquarium in Nancy, France has been keeping Chaetodon bennetti and C. trifasciatus for over 13 years! Of course, they are pioneers in aquaristik.
what Cougarman is doing, is simply one more success story for what was once a very desirable, yet misunderstood fish. For beginners they are not, but the few I have held did not die from malnutrition. Various other mishaps led them to fishy heaven and I am the guilty party! Not the diet.
Many are experimenting with sponge as a major portion of the diet with success. I have never fed it to my Zanclus in the past and my new one shows no interest in it. There is plenty growing in my aquarium. Whether it is important to the diet or simply a leaned part of the diet by certain zanclus populations...well, i have no idea. I have had success in the past with typical fleshy foods, such as muscles, fish and artemia, plus various algaes from the Asian Food market. I've yet to experience troubles with my corals being bothered, but i have no clams, therefore no comment.
As I just added my new Zanclus last week, i can tell you he looked undernourished and chancy at the LFS, but he was eating, along with the other Idols in the tank. I took a chance, hoping that he was not a cyanide victim or otherwise mishandled and set him directly into the reef. He has spots in 2 days, which is typical, but has a clean skin again, as of yesterday. He eats everything at this point, having required a few days to catch on to the algaes and is becoming a candidate for weight watchers!
Yes, they can be kept and for long periods of time. As with any specialized fish, they have requirements, such as room to swim and a varied diet. Also, let's not forget excellent water quality. If the aquarist is willing to put in the time to understand the fish and provide for his needs, I see no reason why they won't succeed. Of all the things that have improved since aquarist first attmepted to keep Zanclus, i would say that water quality and nutrition are the two biggest changes that now allow almost all fishes to be kept. Even the Aquarium in Nancy, France has been keeping Chaetodon bennetti and C. trifasciatus for over 13 years! Of course, they are pioneers in aquaristik.
Thanks for the reply. Things are sounding promising indeed. I am not new to aquariums and though I'm not an expert in reef aquariums, I am not a newby at that either so perhaps I do have a fighting chance to succeed.
Anyone think 2-3 would work (ok, now I'm getting cocky and out of hand:rollface: ). Just a thought. The only other fish I would really like is a Powder Blue Tang. Other than that, these would be the only fish in the tank. Perhaps the PBT would be too agressive though.
Kolognekoral
New member
Actually, I think the Zanclus will end up the bully! Mine is the dominant fish in the tank. Also, I would recommend keeping more fish, just to keep the other fish amused! maybe a school of anthias or some wrasses. I you do want an A. leucosternon, try to add him the same time or after the Zanclus. I have been considering the same thing for my tank, that or an A. achille. Always pushing the envelope.
By the way, keeping schools of Zanclus has not proved successful. They tend to gang-up on the weakest, kill him, and go on to the next weakest. A tank is not a reef. A pair may work, though, if introed together.
By the way, keeping schools of Zanclus has not proved successful. They tend to gang-up on the weakest, kill him, and go on to the next weakest. A tank is not a reef. A pair may work, though, if introed together.
Re: Re: Re: Where are things at with MO
Re: Re: Re: Where are things at with MO
I've heard the sponge theory before aswell. But I tend not to agree with it necessarily. Sponges may have some nutritional aspects about them that are ideal for moorish idols, I believe the fish can aquire them from other sources, provided they eat enough of them. I feed atleast once per day, usually twice. I agree with you too about the aggressive skimming etc. My sps grow just fine with the feedings.
Here are a few photos of him/her
http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/500/111416a.jpg
Re: Re: Re: Where are things at with MO
I've heard the sponge theory before aswell. But I tend not to agree with it necessarily. Sponges may have some nutritional aspects about them that are ideal for moorish idols, I believe the fish can aquire them from other sources, provided they eat enough of them. I feed atleast once per day, usually twice. I agree with you too about the aggressive skimming etc. My sps grow just fine with the feedings.
Here are a few photos of him/her
http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/500/111416a.jpg
Re: Re: Re: Re: Where are things at with MO
Re: Re: Re: Re: Where are things at with MO
Very nice tank. No problems with it picking at your SPS? Also, do you have clams and how is it with those and how long have you had that beauty of a MI.
Re: Re: Re: Re: Where are things at with MO
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12343599#post12343599 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Cougarman
I've heard the sponge theory before aswell. But I tend not to agree with it necessarily. Sponges may have some nutritional aspects about them that are ideal for moorish idols, I believe the fish can aquire them from other sources, provided they eat enough of them. I feed atleast once per day, usually twice. I agree with you too about the aggressive skimming etc. My sps grow just fine with the feedings.
Here are a few photos of him/her
http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/500/111416a.jpg
Very nice tank. No problems with it picking at your SPS? Also, do you have clams and how is it with those and how long have you had that beauty of a MI.
yoboyjdizz
Active member
I would go with a group of three idols. I tired to do two and after a few months one became dominant and picked on the other non-stopped. I had to give it away, and later is soon perished. Earlier in this thread there was a guy successfully keeping three idols together.
Paul B
Premium Member
Actually Idols are still hard to keep and three four or ten years with this fish is still failure. I have followed many of them in the South Pacific and although they eat just about anything, in the sea they eat mostly sponge. Not just any sponge but a particular sponge. I collected sponge for mine locally in NY and fed it to him every day. He died in an accident after about 5 years with most of my other fish.
Adults live in mated pairs, two males may not get along.
Good water conditions and excellent nutrition will suffice for most fish but moorish Idols still have a secret that we do not know.
How many 10 year old moorish Idols have you heard about?
They have been for sale for about 30 years and thats about as long as I have been "trying" to keep them.
I believe the sponge helps (although I don't know why)
They are made to eat sponge. Their mouths are very frail with weak teeth. They can't bite much of anything and they also are defenseless.
I have never seen more than three of them together but I did not see any juviniles.
Adults live in mated pairs, two males may not get along.
Good water conditions and excellent nutrition will suffice for most fish but moorish Idols still have a secret that we do not know.
How many 10 year old moorish Idols have you heard about?
They have been for sale for about 30 years and thats about as long as I have been "trying" to keep them.
I believe the sponge helps (although I don't know why)
They are made to eat sponge. Their mouths are very frail with weak teeth. They can't bite much of anything and they also are defenseless.
I have never seen more than three of them together but I did not see any juviniles.
Paul B
Premium Member
By the eyelashes :lol:
OK so they don't have eyelashes. Supposedely the males have a more pronounced bump on their head between the eyes. You can only notice this on adults and you really need to see a bunch of them to tell for sure and even then sometimes it is hard.
As I swam with them I tried to notice this difference but, me not looking like a fish, they were always swimming away from me so most of my pictures of them are from the rear.
The male (i think) is in the front in the lower picture I posted.
The males would always get to the food first with the female following 20 seconds or so later. I believe, and it is only my assumption, that males would be easier to keep only from me following them on the reef. The males semed to find the sponges all the time. (I guess sometimes men don't have to ask for directions)
:lol:
OK so they don't have eyelashes. Supposedely the males have a more pronounced bump on their head between the eyes. You can only notice this on adults and you really need to see a bunch of them to tell for sure and even then sometimes it is hard.
As I swam with them I tried to notice this difference but, me not looking like a fish, they were always swimming away from me so most of my pictures of them are from the rear.
The male (i think) is in the front in the lower picture I posted.
The males would always get to the food first with the female following 20 seconds or so later. I believe, and it is only my assumption, that males would be easier to keep only from me following them on the reef. The males semed to find the sponges all the time. (I guess sometimes men don't have to ask for directions)
:lol:
Hi Paul,
You obviously have quite a bit of experience with these fish over the years. What would you suggest I look for when purchasing one other than checking that it is eating and no obvious signs of disease, fin/body damage, sunken belly? I suspect you also would recommend only 1 in a 180g tank right? The few times I encounter them at the LFS they typically get them in bunches of 3-5 so I thought I could try to find a pair or possibly group enough of them. Also, in your opinion, would a powder blue be too much competition with him? Seems from the previous pics others have "successfully" kept an idol with tangs and or angels.
Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Where are things at with MO
Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Where are things at with MO
Gill is (moorishidols name) approx 3 yrs old. I have 2 twelve inch gigas clams which he doesnt touch. He also leaves my sps alone. The only thing he eats are my zoas, but I'd rather have the idol anyway.
Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Where are things at with MO
Gill is (moorishidols name) approx 3 yrs old. I have 2 twelve inch gigas clams which he doesnt touch. He also leaves my sps alone. The only thing he eats are my zoas, but I'd rather have the idol anyway.
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