Thanks paul. 
I thought YOU were the expert. 
So did you take any water home with you? Yep, it's a bit cold up there.
I thought YOU were the expert. So did you take any water home with you? Yep, it's a bit cold up there.
The Moorish Idol Thread
- Thread starter zfunk007
- Start date
Paul B
Premium Member
I am only an expert at retiring
And I only know about moorish Idols what I learned while diving with them.I diden't take any water home, they only allow 4 ounces on the plane and I diden't think that would count as a water change.
I did however take the back stage tour of the Monterey Aquarium.
I also checked out some tide pools but found them surprisingly barren. I don't know if they are too cold or too clean but I couldn't even find one pod.
My muddy, scurvy tide pools here in NY are full of life. I did bring some NY mud with me, maybe I should have sprinkled some in the sea there :eek1:
I wish I couldsame the same but alas, I've got another 15 years of Govt servitude before I can retire again.
Been to Monterey several times but have never taken the back stage tour. Hoew was it? Did they have anything interresting to see while you were there?
Yea, 4 oz dosen't quite make a water change.
Take care there buddy.
Been to Monterey several times but have never taken the back stage tour. Hoew was it? Did they have anything interresting to see while you were there?
Yea, 4 oz dosen't quite make a water change.
Take care there buddy.
Paul B
Premium Member
They actually cheat. I was very surprised. They use NSW for almost all of their tanks, even the coral tanks, it is just warmed and filtered. They have no real filtration system except sand and their tanks are all open systems to the sea.
All of their local animals are only kept a short time then they release them and collect different ones so they don't really have to keep them alive for long. The coral fish they keep of course.
I diden't tour the aquarium at all, I was just interested in the workings of the place as I am in all aquariums.
The place is really beautiful and the people who work there are extreamly friendly.
We had other engagements so I diden't even get to see the back area where they filmed some of Star Trek 4 which is one part I wanted to see.
We were only in California for 5 days and 2 of them was traveling so it was too short. We have quite a few friends there so we will be going back and hopefully they will come to NY to visit us. I want to take them around Manhattan by boat and let them lay in the warm water behind the boat and sip Pina Coladas which they can't do in California.
I think we liked northern California better than the southern parts.
All of their local animals are only kept a short time then they release them and collect different ones so they don't really have to keep them alive for long. The coral fish they keep of course.
I diden't tour the aquarium at all, I was just interested in the workings of the place as I am in all aquariums.
The place is really beautiful and the people who work there are extreamly friendly.
We had other engagements so I diden't even get to see the back area where they filmed some of Star Trek 4 which is one part I wanted to see.
We were only in California for 5 days and 2 of them was traveling so it was too short. We have quite a few friends there so we will be going back and hopefully they will come to NY to visit us. I want to take them around Manhattan by boat and let them lay in the warm water behind the boat and sip Pina Coladas which they can't do in California.
I think we liked northern California better than the southern parts.
cl2ysta1
New member
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14272414#post14272414 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by cl2ysta1
Here is my representation of hawaii
The MIs eat flake, frozen, nori.. you name it. They eat more voraciously than the tangs do
Update... its been almost five months now. both MIs are still doing very well. Fat eat well etc.
I've noticed that their streamers get long very quickly then either break off or are ripped off by the other fish. then in a few days they are back again.
I had to separate the two MIs to different tanks. they decided they werent friends anymore after about a month.
Western_reefer
Reef keeper
How big of a tank do Moorish Idols need? Whats their max size and how much do they cost?
DamnPepShrimp
Moved On
Ok, I have always wanted to try a morish idol but never pulled the trigger. I found one at a local petkare (similar to a petco) today. Its $45 about 3" and eating prepared foods! It is very active and alert, looks to have ich and a little bit of discoloration. Its in a 15g tank and I am sure their systems are horrible, they have damsels dead in some of the display tanks! I want to rescue this little guy. I would QT him in my 30g tank then I guess add him to my 120g reef? I am worried he'll eat my corals though, but my 210g FO tank is too aggressive for him. What corals do idols usually go for? I have mostly softies, LPS and zoas. I feed the tank 3-4 times a day. Any chance? I want to save the guy, and the fact that he is eating helps, should I go for it?
From what I've read, your coral selection would likely be at risk. I've heard of people keeping them with SPS without issue. I was told that clams are hit and miss much like clams with Angels.
One coral I seem to hear of repeatidly getting munched are zoas. I would suspect many of the soft and LPS coral could be at risk but then again, each fish of the same species is different.
I think if you are willing to take on the challenge and have no aggressive fish in your 120 then go for it and see what happens. Just bear in mind that you might have to pull out the Idol or some of the coral to keep things living.
One coral I seem to hear of repeatidly getting munched are zoas. I would suspect many of the soft and LPS coral could be at risk but then again, each fish of the same species is different.
I think if you are willing to take on the challenge and have no aggressive fish in your 120 then go for it and see what happens. Just bear in mind that you might have to pull out the Idol or some of the coral to keep things living.
DamnPepShrimp
Moved On
Thanks for the reply THP. I think it would destroy my reef then, but I feel so bad for the fish, I want to save it. It will definitely die at the pet store. Seeing a small idol that is eating like a pig is not an every day occurance, I feel it may be my only shot at keeping one of these guys.
John Dawe, I QT everything, cupramine and prazipro for 4 weeks does the trick.
I still don't know what to do about this little guy, I want to go pick him up but something is holding me back.
John Dawe, I QT everything, cupramine and prazipro for 4 weeks does the trick.
I still don't know what to do about this little guy, I want to go pick him up but something is holding me back.
Outerbank
New member
Coral risks are fleshy red and/or green LPS and clams.
They are susceptible to ick but can handle an infection well if they eat enough.
If this fish is eating well, Iwould buy this fish and treat in a QT by itself. Keep the QT water high quality. Feed multiple times a day.
Outerbank
New member
I wouldn't worry about the corals unless they are very expensive/rare. I don't have many LPS corals, but expensive Acans and brains, etc are at risk. Feed the fish well, fatten it up some in the QT, feed with nori clips throughout the day, and it will be less likely to pick at corals in your DT.
DamnPepShrimp
Moved On
Hmmm... I may try it. I work a lot the next 3 days, so if it is still there on sunday, I will take him home. I doubt he will last that long though, their tanks are horrible and the water quality is a lot worse.
Western_reefer
Reef keeper
Then get him!! lol Don't wait till it dies in the pet store if that will be your only chance to get one that eats like a pig. So, go get him and let us know how he does.
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