The Moorish Idol Thread
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FLAMAANGEL
New member
scott, how long did you have your idol?
Outerbank
New member
I had my first MI for 4 years and lost him when I moved (November 2006). After the move, I did not have a decent set up, but I brought my beloved yellow tang, pair of clowns, MI, and flame hawk. After a month, I missed my copperband butterfly so much (I gave my CBB away when I moved) that I bought one, added it to the half full main tank, and had a parasite outbreak (prior to the move, I always used a mature QT and treated my fish. I did not have this option after the move). I had the dumb idea at the time that I would just hyposalinity the whole tank and rid the parasites. I had given away all my Marshall Island live rock and I only had rock from my sump, refugium, etc. As it turns out, I had many more organisms than I thought living in my rock and I crashed the tank, most likely by a nitrogen spike. I lost my MI and flame hawk at that time. Boy was I bummed and I felt super stupid. I was one of the first to ever post on MI success. I think those early posts have been removed. From 2002 to 2006, my tank was mature and stable for many years, so I kind of left the reef boards and really focused on offshore fishing in the gulf of mexico. Thus a huge hiatus in my posting on reefcentral.
At a local, disease infested, fish store the first week in August, 2008 I found my current MI. I think he was at the LFS for only 2 days. He was the perfect size and eating brine shrimp at the LFS. When I saw him, I knew he was the one I was looking for. I quarentined him for about 10 days and I partially treated with copper. My new QT was only 30 gallons and he was getting ansy, so I added it to the display. I have only bought 2MIs in my life, and both have done very well.
Keeping a MI, IMO, is mostly about sticking to the basics. This includes water quality, food, competition, stocking behaviors, water quality, tank size, disease, etc. Play the basics in a safe manner and those will be rewarded. Those that have reported on this thread all seem to have very similar experiences. I, unlike many, believe this fish is only moderately difficult to assimilate in the hands of experienced reefers that don't challenge the accepted basics. I question the claims made by others that their MI was perfectly healthy for 6 months and then died. I feel there are reasons why their fish died, just like there is a very clear reason why my first MI died. I think most are underfed. My MI eats twice as much food as any fish I have in the tank. Get them to eat, feed them like crazy, avoid aggressive tank mates, give them plenty of swimming room, and quality water and you should have success. They need to be trained to eat, so just dropping them in a tank amongst aggressive fish is unlikely to work unless you have a huge established tank. With all that said, I am sure there are a few exceptions. For this fish, the exceptions will be ony a few lucky souls.
Last edited:
vamaro
New member
Update - Since moving my MI to the display tank, he is starting to eat again (he hated the display). He loves spectrum pellets and a few days ago he started eating bloodworms, and some algae that I rubber band to a rock.
The MI has been staying real close to a Foxface Rabbit that I have. I see them together most of the time. There are no aggressive tankmates, however the foxface eats a lot faster. I just make sure that I keep feeding them until they start slowing down and appear full.
Vince
The MI has been staying real close to a Foxface Rabbit that I have. I see them together most of the time. There are no aggressive tankmates, however the foxface eats a lot faster. I just make sure that I keep feeding them until they start slowing down and appear full.
Vince
FLAMAANGEL
New member
Scott sounds like you are pretty experienced with the MI's.
when i was buying my MI at LFS they had 5 at the time so i had a pretty good selection. i went with the smallest one because he was picking on the live rock. he is in my 125G mixed reef tank and so far did not touch any corals at all. alot of people say mi's are not reef safe... what's your experience?
when i was buying my MI at LFS they had 5 at the time so i had a pretty good selection. i went with the smallest one because he was picking on the live rock. he is in my 125G mixed reef tank and so far did not touch any corals at all. alot of people say mi's are not reef safe... what's your experience?
Paul B
Premium Member
This is true, you need to feed these things a few times not just once. In the sea, they eat constantly always going from one patch of sponge to another.
I fed mine sponge for one meal and had an automatic feeder for two more meals, many times I fed him four times.
Being that their diet is mostly sponge I doubt it has much nutrition so they eat often. They also probably do not utalize a lot of the properties in the foods we often give them, being mainly sponge eaters. Fish evolve for a specific diet and although they will eat anything, does not necessarilly mean it is doing the fish much good.
These are not easy fish by any means. People buy them because they eat, they almost always eat and eat a lot.
Af far as I know almost no one in the 40 years we have been keeping them has kept one for ten years. I had mine for five and I never even heard of that.
This fish should live probably 15 or 20 years so we all have a dismal record. five years is like a human living 20 years. It stinks.
I also believe it is something besides food or maybe it needs the certain green sponge I see it eating in the sea, or maybe it needs to live as a mated pair as they do.
If they were even slightly easy we would at least see a few of them 10 years old out of the 20,000 members on these forums.
We see not even one.
Outerbank
New member
Reef safe is a very relative term, but IME and others, they will sometimes consume (not just nip) fleshy LPS such as (and sorry for the following common names) candy cane, open brains, etc. Some will take chunks off clams leaving nice sized bite marks. They can be very inconsistant with the clam, leaving it alone for years and then one time deciding to start eating it. They seem to like green and red, and those are the color of the corals they seem to eat. Mine also ate any thing that resembled a tube worm or spaghetti worm in the sandbed.
My first idol nipped montipora for the first few days, then he never touched them again.
With that said, and to my surprise, the MI I currently have has left my candy cane, clam, and little feather dusters on the rocks alone (as best as I can tell). I have had this candy cane for about 8 years and it lived in my refugium when I had my first idol, as he would attack it.
Just in case, be prepared to sacrifice a few corals and clams if anyone purchases a MI. They may or may not eat or nip corals.
theyoda55
New member
ACK! ICH!
My MIs have ICH! OH NOES! I dosed the last of my "kick-ich" (gotta get some more tomorrow). I wasnt so sure earlier today, but now that im finally home it has gotten a better foot hold! I need EVERYTHING on how to kill, hinder and prevent ich (i know a lot is common sense and patience in order to kill ich while its in that particular life cycle... but I MUST KNOW!). I heard garlic helps with fending off parasites and such, is that true?
My MIs have ICH! OH NOES! I dosed the last of my "kick-ich" (gotta get some more tomorrow). I wasnt so sure earlier today, but now that im finally home it has gotten a better foot hold! I need EVERYTHING on how to kill, hinder and prevent ich (i know a lot is common sense and patience in order to kill ich while its in that particular life cycle... but I MUST KNOW!). I heard garlic helps with fending off parasites and such, is that true?
theyoda55
New member
ACK! ICH!
My MIs have ICH! OH NOES! I dosed the last of my "kick-ich" (gotta get some more tomorrow). I wasnt so sure earlier today, but now that im finally home it has gotten a better foot hold! I need EVERYTHING on how to kill, hinder and prevent ich (i know a lot is common sense and patience in order to kill ich while its in that particular life cycle... but I MUST KNOW!). I heard garlic helps with fending off parasites and such, is that true?
My MIs have ICH! OH NOES! I dosed the last of my "kick-ich" (gotta get some more tomorrow). I wasnt so sure earlier today, but now that im finally home it has gotten a better foot hold! I need EVERYTHING on how to kill, hinder and prevent ich (i know a lot is common sense and patience in order to kill ich while its in that particular life cycle... but I MUST KNOW!). I heard garlic helps with fending off parasites and such, is that true?
FLAMAANGEL
New member
here is the video i took today, my MI is eating clams right out of my hand.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RhxfTSu394g&feature=channel_page
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RhxfTSu394g&feature=channel_page
Outerbank
New member
theyoda,
I can't tell how severely they are infected, but you definitely have some spots. Read up on cupramine. I would consider setting up a hospital tank, say a 55 gallon or use your 120, and treat with cupramine. It all depends on how bad the outbreak is. You have a little time to wait, so I would just prepare to treat at this time (have SW mixed up, buy cupramine and test kit, read up on copper treatment, etc. You also have the organism throughout the main tank and the only way to rid the organisms from the main tank is to remove all fish, treat the fish in a seperate tank, and keep the main tank fishless for about 6 weeks (some say longer).
One option would be to set up the 120 now, in a temporary location if needed, and place the MIs and all your fish in the 120 with some live rock. You then could treat all the fish, but you are really going to need to make sure you don't have an ammonia spike. It is always a good idea to have a removable biologic filter in your sump so you can use the material if you ever need to move fish from the main tank.
I can't tell how severely they are infected, but you definitely have some spots. Read up on cupramine. I would consider setting up a hospital tank, say a 55 gallon or use your 120, and treat with cupramine. It all depends on how bad the outbreak is. You have a little time to wait, so I would just prepare to treat at this time (have SW mixed up, buy cupramine and test kit, read up on copper treatment, etc. You also have the organism throughout the main tank and the only way to rid the organisms from the main tank is to remove all fish, treat the fish in a seperate tank, and keep the main tank fishless for about 6 weeks (some say longer).
One option would be to set up the 120 now, in a temporary location if needed, and place the MIs and all your fish in the 120 with some live rock. You then could treat all the fish, but you are really going to need to make sure you don't have an ammonia spike. It is always a good idea to have a removable biologic filter in your sump so you can use the material if you ever need to move fish from the main tank.
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agreeive?fish
New member
Here is a couple pics of my moorish idol i have had him for aprox 7-8 months which is by no means a sucess story but he is doing well at this moment
Outerbank
New member
agreeive?fish, your MI looks great.
I had mine with a powder blue for 4 years and my PBT was one large monster female, but not crazy aggressive. MIs can hold their own pretty well, but I bet the streamer is short because of the PBT. My PBT would literally bite the streamer off my old MI. I no longer have a PBT as I gave her away. I prefer a very peaceful, stressfree tank.
I know I have recommended more peaceful tank inhabitants, but the truth is MIs can handle a fair amount of other aggressive fish, especially in larger tanks.
I had mine with a powder blue for 4 years and my PBT was one large monster female, but not crazy aggressive. MIs can hold their own pretty well, but I bet the streamer is short because of the PBT. My PBT would literally bite the streamer off my old MI. I no longer have a PBT as I gave her away. I prefer a very peaceful, stressfree tank.
I know I have recommended more peaceful tank inhabitants, but the truth is MIs can handle a fair amount of other aggressive fish, especially in larger tanks.
agreeive?fish
New member
iam not sure how he lost the streamer,, he had it the other night at lights out and didnt have it at lights on the next morning..he is a rock work sleeper(all fish in the tank are).. the powder blue has not paid any attention to the morrish idol since day 2 infact the moorish idol is probably the most agressive fish in attitude wise in the tank with the exception of the lunnar wrasse when he flips put about once a week or so..if i could ever catch the wrasse he would go into an more agressive tank...
Moorish Idol environment advise please
Moorish Idol environment advise please
First off, appologies for the long winded post...please bear with me.....
Looking for some advise. I have a 180g with 70-80x turn over and about 100 - 120 lbs of LR. I have a CL with 2x Dart 3600gph in series running a total of 10 outlets. 4 on a OM-4 dedicated to 1 Dart through both ends of the tank, 4x PVC returns up top and 2 other returns up top on WavySeas devices. I am planning on purchasing 2 Vortex 40w devices w/controller. My calculated turn over includes the 6000 gph from the Vortex's + my BlueLine dual sump return and calc head loss. Sump is a 65g acrylic multi-chamber unit with about 40g circulating water so about 220g total volume max less 3/4" of sand and the LR.
The tank's primary intention is for SPS hence the high flow and 3x Luminarc III with 400w CoralVue ballasts and CoralVue 12k bulbs . I've been cycling for 2.5 years!!! (don't ask!!!!) with w/changes every 2 months or so (Tropic Marine). The lights have been out the entire time except when peeking with lights on. The skimmer (a dual Sedra 140w powered) venturi skimmer has been running the whole time. It sits about 2 1/4 feet high and constantly pulls tons of gunk! I'm about to hook up a carbon and a phosban reactor. The water is 100% RO/DI monitored and maintained with 0 ppm fresh water and on an auto-top off system. I've maintained the fresh water supply at 0ppm all those years including the initial fill-up. The plan is to run the phosban and carbon for another month or 2 before adding any fish. There is a large population of tube worms and white sponge like creatures. Ph, Alk, Temp, Salinity, Amonia, Nitrite are within SPS reef params. Calc/Kalk reactors not running yet so calcium is around 280 ppm. Phosphate untested but expect it to be high hence the phos reactor. Nitrate is +10ppm.
This is by far not my first tank of any type FO/FOWL/Reef/FW and have always wanted to try MIs. I feel I may have a shot at keeping them for as many years as other successfull people in this thread dispite the fact that I doubt I would reach anything close to their natural life spand.
So, with all that crap said, I'm looking to house at least 1 MI. My plan is to get the LFS to order 5 MIs so that I may pick 1 or more strong/healthy looking specimens. Should I just take all 5 and attempt for the best? Disaster perhaps? too many for a 180g? Plan is to move larger in 4-5 years and start with smallest MIs I can get (2-1/2 - 3"").
Also, I am planning on putting a six-line wrass, small school of anthias and maybe a few chromis. Any of those pose threat to harrassing the MIs or even fin nipping that tantalizing streamer the MIs have? Any advise other than everything I read on this thread plus research elsewhere?
Moorish Idol environment advise please
First off, appologies for the long winded post...please bear with me.....
Looking for some advise. I have a 180g with 70-80x turn over and about 100 - 120 lbs of LR. I have a CL with 2x Dart 3600gph in series running a total of 10 outlets. 4 on a OM-4 dedicated to 1 Dart through both ends of the tank, 4x PVC returns up top and 2 other returns up top on WavySeas devices. I am planning on purchasing 2 Vortex 40w devices w/controller. My calculated turn over includes the 6000 gph from the Vortex's + my BlueLine dual sump return and calc head loss. Sump is a 65g acrylic multi-chamber unit with about 40g circulating water so about 220g total volume max less 3/4" of sand and the LR.
The tank's primary intention is for SPS hence the high flow and 3x Luminarc III with 400w CoralVue ballasts and CoralVue 12k bulbs . I've been cycling for 2.5 years!!! (don't ask!!!!) with w/changes every 2 months or so (Tropic Marine). The lights have been out the entire time except when peeking with lights on. The skimmer (a dual Sedra 140w powered) venturi skimmer has been running the whole time. It sits about 2 1/4 feet high and constantly pulls tons of gunk! I'm about to hook up a carbon and a phosban reactor. The water is 100% RO/DI monitored and maintained with 0 ppm fresh water and on an auto-top off system. I've maintained the fresh water supply at 0ppm all those years including the initial fill-up. The plan is to run the phosban and carbon for another month or 2 before adding any fish. There is a large population of tube worms and white sponge like creatures. Ph, Alk, Temp, Salinity, Amonia, Nitrite are within SPS reef params. Calc/Kalk reactors not running yet so calcium is around 280 ppm. Phosphate untested but expect it to be high hence the phos reactor. Nitrate is +10ppm.
This is by far not my first tank of any type FO/FOWL/Reef/FW and have always wanted to try MIs. I feel I may have a shot at keeping them for as many years as other successfull people in this thread dispite the fact that I doubt I would reach anything close to their natural life spand.
So, with all that crap said, I'm looking to house at least 1 MI. My plan is to get the LFS to order 5 MIs so that I may pick 1 or more strong/healthy looking specimens. Should I just take all 5 and attempt for the best? Disaster perhaps? too many for a 180g? Plan is to move larger in 4-5 years and start with smallest MIs I can get (2-1/2 - 3"").
Also, I am planning on putting a six-line wrass, small school of anthias and maybe a few chromis. Any of those pose threat to harrassing the MIs or even fin nipping that tantalizing streamer the MIs have? Any advise other than everything I read on this thread plus research elsewhere?
Moorish Idol environment advise please
Moorish Idol environment advise please
First off, appologies for the long winded post...please bear with me.....
Looking for some advise. I have a 180g with 70-80x turn over and about 100 - 120 lbs of LR. I have a CL with 2x Dart 3600gph in series running a total of 10 outlets. 4 on a OM-4 dedicated to 1 Dart through both ends of the tank, 4x PVC returns up top and 2 other returns up top on WavySeas devices. I am planning on purchasing 2 Vortex 40w devices w/controller. My calculated turn over includes the 6000 gph from the Vortex's + my BlueLine dual sump return and calc head loss. Sump is a 65g acrylic multi-chamber unit with about 40g circulating water so about 220g total volume max less 3/4" of sand and the LR.
The tank's primary intention is for SPS hence the high flow and 3x Luminarc III with 400w CoralVue ballasts and CoralVue 12k bulbs . I've been cycling for 2.5 years!!! (don't ask!!!!) with w/changes every 2 months or so (Tropic Marine). The lights have been out the entire time except when peeking with lights on. The skimmer (a dual Sedra 140w powered) venturi skimmer has been running the whole time. It sits about 2 1/4 feet high and constantly pulls tons of gunk! I'm about to hook up a carbon and a phosban reactor. The water is 100% RO/DI monitored and maintained with 0 ppm fresh water and on an auto-top off system. I've maintained the fresh water supply at 0ppm all those years including the initial fill-up. The plan is to run the phosban and carbon for another month or 2 before adding any fish. There is a large population of tube worms and white sponge like creatures. Ph, Alk, Temp, Salinity, Amonia, Nitrite are within SPS reef params. Calc/Kalk reactors not running yet so calcium is around 280 ppm. Phosphate untested but expect it to be high hence the phos reactor. Nitrate is +10ppm.
This is by far not my first tank of any type FO/FOWL/Reef/FW and have always wanted to try MIs. I feel I may have a shot at keeping them for as many years as other successfull people in this thread dispite the fact that I doubt I would reach anything close to their natural life spand.
So, with all that crap said, I'm looking to house at least 1 MI. My plan is to get the LFS to order 5 MIs so that I may pick 1 or more strong/healthy looking specimens. Should I just take all 5 and attempt for the best? Disaster perhaps? too many for a 180g? Plan is to move larger in 4-5 years and start with smallest MIs I can get (2-1/2 - 3"").
Also, I am planning on putting a six-line wrass, small school of anthias and maybe a few chromis. Any of those pose threat to harrassing the MIs or even fin nipping that tantalizing streamer the MIs have? Any advise other than everything I read on this thread plus research elsewhere?
Moorish Idol environment advise please
First off, appologies for the long winded post...please bear with me.....
Looking for some advise. I have a 180g with 70-80x turn over and about 100 - 120 lbs of LR. I have a CL with 2x Dart 3600gph in series running a total of 10 outlets. 4 on a OM-4 dedicated to 1 Dart through both ends of the tank, 4x PVC returns up top and 2 other returns up top on WavySeas devices. I am planning on purchasing 2 Vortex 40w devices w/controller. My calculated turn over includes the 6000 gph from the Vortex's + my BlueLine dual sump return and calc head loss. Sump is a 65g acrylic multi-chamber unit with about 40g circulating water so about 220g total volume max less 3/4" of sand and the LR.
The tank's primary intention is for SPS hence the high flow and 3x Luminarc III with 400w CoralVue ballasts and CoralVue 12k bulbs . I've been cycling for 2.5 years!!! (don't ask!!!!) with w/changes every 2 months or so (Tropic Marine). The lights have been out the entire time except when peeking with lights on. The skimmer (a dual Sedra 140w powered) venturi skimmer has been running the whole time. It sits about 2 1/4 feet high and constantly pulls tons of gunk! I'm about to hook up a carbon and a phosban reactor. The water is 100% RO/DI monitored and maintained with 0 ppm fresh water and on an auto-top off system. I've maintained the fresh water supply at 0ppm all those years including the initial fill-up. The plan is to run the phosban and carbon for another month or 2 before adding any fish. There is a large population of tube worms and white sponge like creatures. Ph, Alk, Temp, Salinity, Amonia, Nitrite are within SPS reef params. Calc/Kalk reactors not running yet so calcium is around 280 ppm. Phosphate untested but expect it to be high hence the phos reactor. Nitrate is +10ppm.
This is by far not my first tank of any type FO/FOWL/Reef/FW and have always wanted to try MIs. I feel I may have a shot at keeping them for as many years as other successfull people in this thread dispite the fact that I doubt I would reach anything close to their natural life spand.
So, with all that crap said, I'm looking to house at least 1 MI. My plan is to get the LFS to order 5 MIs so that I may pick 1 or more strong/healthy looking specimens. Should I just take all 5 and attempt for the best? Disaster perhaps? too many for a 180g? Plan is to move larger in 4-5 years and start with smallest MIs I can get (2-1/2 - 3"").
Also, I am planning on putting a six-line wrass, small school of anthias and maybe a few chromis. Any of those pose threat to harrassing the MIs or even fin nipping that tantalizing streamer the MIs have? Any advise other than everything I read on this thread plus research elsewhere?
lil_cheeks
New member
Very Nice!!! I think more people should post these, i think this fish is pretty cool and i like to see them eat. Here is a video i found while looking for yours. Its a LFS actually hand feeding it.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VaVxc_8Fb8U
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