The Moorish Idol Thread
- Thread starter zfunk007
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theyoda55
New member
.....ouch, but hopefully ill be able to keep them happy until my 120 is ready. Ill adjust the rock work to accomodate for swimming by adding loops and stuff to swim through, giving them stuff to "swim around". Like those really big tanks that are circular adn set up so the fish can swim round and round (illusion of more room).
So far, when i feed, they dont go for the food right away, they seem to prefer picking it of the ground or something (from what i can tell). Is that normal for them to eat in that fashion?
So far, when i feed, they dont go for the food right away, they seem to prefer picking it of the ground or something (from what i can tell). Is that normal for them to eat in that fashion?
Outerbank
New member
That is a great sign. They will often start eating foods off the bottom first, IME (thus a bare bottom QT has an advantage in this respect). I initially feed very small pieces of cut bay scallops. They are soft, don't break apart in the water, easy to siphon, cheap to buy, and packed with protein. I freeze them to make cutting into small cubes easy. IMO, at this time, train them to eat out of the water column by feeding mainly the food they are eating off the bottom. Make the pieces small. They will start taking it out of the water column and eventaully eat what is left off the bottom. Initially, they will pick at food on the bottom, slowly eating the food over the next hour. Eventually, they will eat the bottom food quicker and eat out of the water column more agressively. When they start eating new foods or by new methods, they will shake their head as if they just tasted the most bitter tequila in the world. That is ok. Just keep feeding frequent small amounts and they will eventually start eating somewhat aggressively. It only takes about another week before they really start going at food. They tend to like red, white, and green colors best (just my experience) when I feed, thus try some foods with these colors. Start adding new foods when they are eating out of the water column.
They can likely be housed in the 58 for some time, especially if they are small and are really the only significant fish. You can tell how comfortable they are in the tank by their behavior. They are a very graceful fish when comfortable and relaxed. They will swim rapidly if they want out and don't like the tank, often quickly retreating for cover and bumping the tank corners and decor pretty hard. Keep the water quality high with water changes as needed and siphon off any uneaten food. Tubing such as reverse osmosis tubing works well to siphon out uneaten particles without removing much water. If the food doesn't fit through the RO tubing, then the food is too large, IMO. Good luck and keep us posted.
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theyoda55
New member
Well for their behavior, they seem really calm and relaxed. Theyre a little on the big side, but they really do seem fine. I see them nip at stuff here and there. If what you say about their behavior in a bad environment is true, then they seem plenty happy.
My scopas tang seems to like them. There are moments where it looks like he's swimming next them. There was a moment where when a MI stopped, the tang stopped next to him as well. So hopefully theyre making friends (the whole schooling thing keeping them happy). Im going to try and feed them spirulna brine next. It both small and green so hopefully they will be somewhat more keen to eat in a more aggressive fashion.
Should i also get a clip for algea? Since they i hear they like to graze.
And thanks for the advice, it really helps.
Paul B: Where could i aquire some of this sponge?
My scopas tang seems to like them. There are moments where it looks like he's swimming next them. There was a moment where when a MI stopped, the tang stopped next to him as well. So hopefully theyre making friends (the whole schooling thing keeping them happy). Im going to try and feed them spirulna brine next. It both small and green so hopefully they will be somewhat more keen to eat in a more aggressive fashion.
Should i also get a clip for algea? Since they i hear they like to graze.
And thanks for the advice, it really helps.
Paul B: Where could i aquire some of this sponge?
Outerbank
New member
Theyoda55, they look pretty good. They don't appear sunken at the shoulders, so they were likely eating at the LFS as was stated.
By all means, clip some freen nori in the tank. They should eventually devour nori like a tang will.
My MI and yellow tang pretty much hang out together without any problems. To some extent, I wonder if a similar sized yellow tang acts somewhat like another MI would. They pretty much hang out like a pair and always check out what the other one is doing until it is time to sleep. The YT hides in the rockwork at night and the MI stays more in the open water at night.
By all means, clip some freen nori in the tank. They should eventually devour nori like a tang will.
My MI and yellow tang pretty much hang out together without any problems. To some extent, I wonder if a similar sized yellow tang acts somewhat like another MI would. They pretty much hang out like a pair and always check out what the other one is doing until it is time to sleep. The YT hides in the rockwork at night and the MI stays more in the open water at night.
theyoda55
New member
Well i just fed them the brine shrimp. I got some success in that they both picked one or two out of the water column. Though it looked like they mightve spit it out. Like they were tasting it. But im happy that theyre at least willing to pick from the water column.
Edit: Im going to the hardware store to look at piping and stuff for my 120. Then ive got my local club meeting at 5:00 EST. Ill be back later.
Edit: Im going to the hardware store to look at piping and stuff for my 120. Then ive got my local club meeting at 5:00 EST. Ill be back later.
Paul B
Premium Member
It lives right where you do. You need to go to a marina that has floating docks in the summer, it is light brown encrusting stuff that grows just under the water surface on floating docks.
I collect it on City island but any floating dock in the summer will do.'Idols love the stuff. I freeze it and cut it in small pieces. I can collect anough in 10 minutes to last all year.
theyoda55
New member
My Moorish Idols are truelly a blessing. I just fed them NLS pellets and they went right for them! Not agressively, but they ate what came near, even a few from the water column! I know i may be getting over-hyped, but the "taboo" fish seems to be in my grasp. and a pair even! W/ in two days, they already seem to be getting used to things really well. Im going to really have to observe their behavior for the next week though (dunk my head in the tank w/ goggles, jk) and its not like theyre stuffing themselves, but theyre eating right away.
Im a happy reefer!
Im a happy reefer!
Outerbank
New member
The toughest part is nearly over. Next will be giving them a nicer home in the 120. My tank has a ton of flow (primarily by 3 tunze 6100 turbelle streams) and the MI seems to like the flow. They just turn sideways to slice the water anywhere the flow may be high.
Man, a pair!!!
This can be done and you have what appears a real and rare opportunity
! Please ask questions, even PM me if you need advice. Place green nori on a clip and in the tank if you haven't done so already. They seem to benefit significantly from nori and spirulina flakes.My advice, when planning your stocking list, is to avoid overcrowding and overly aggressive fish. The MIs should be the kings of the tank (if they have any fish that occasionally chace them, they will likely always be breaking off their streamer). You really don't need much more as they are so awesome. All I have is a potters angel, 2 common clowns, yellow tang, allen's damsel, a pair of neon gobies, and the MI in my 240. I may add 1 or 2 smaller fish, such as a pair of flame hawks, a redlip blenny, a second potters, or a blue damsel, but that will be it.
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theyoda55
New member
thanks man, im grateful. Your advice is really great.
And i fed them not too long ago, and they were even more agressively eating! Right out of the water column (with NLS pellets)! One even did a swoop to grab a piece! My mind is being blown away by these guys, they seem to defy the laws of Moorish Idols.
And i fed them not too long ago, and they were even more agressively eating! Right out of the water column (with NLS pellets)! One even did a swoop to grab a piece! My mind is being blown away by these guys, they seem to defy the laws of Moorish Idols.
theyoda55
New member
A very good friend of mine is saying to soak the food in garlic (such as Kent Garlic Extreme) in order to fight off any parasites like ick. He said that really helped with ick. He also mentioned intestinal problems, do MIs have a tendancy to have intestinal problems? Here's part of what he said:
"You may want to try a garlic additive once or twice a week too. I have had really good luck using is a prophylactic treatment for many parasites such as ich (perhaps intestinal stuff that could be inherent with idols which lead to their demise)."
"You may want to try a garlic additive once or twice a week too. I have had really good luck using is a prophylactic treatment for many parasites such as ich (perhaps intestinal stuff that could be inherent with idols which lead to their demise)."
FLAMAANGEL
New member
i had my idol for a month now and his banner grew good 4 inches,
he is in a reef tank with LPS and some SPS.
he is in a reef tank with LPS and some SPS.
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