The Moorish Idol Thread

To be honest its been close to 8 years since I kept one. But have read on a regular basis people reporting horns in captivity ...
 
Just curious, how many of you have MI that are a bit on the aggressive side?

Mine has gotten quite feisty since being introduced to the DT. He chases my Powder Blue from the nori clips, goes toe to toe with my Blonde Naso, even bites my hand. :hmm2:

It's been many years, but I don't remember my last one being anything like this. He was timid, skittish, almost acted like a Butterflyfish.

Of course, I realize all fish have their quirks and distinct personalities. I'm just trying to figure out what is the "norm" for MI behavior.
 
Just one question. I have got some experience with MI's in the past and I consider them as a quite aggresive. My current one seems to be peacefull and let me introduce PBT without any issues. Now I am wonderring about adding Chelmon. Have you got any experience with keeping Idol and Chelmon together? Any feedback will be highly appreciated ;)
 
My idol doesn't both either chelmon. He does take issue with the regal angel and the rainfordi butterfly though...
 
here is my Idol eating his Nori. He's been in the tank for 6 weeks now after his quarantine period. Happy fish.

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/jzh5gZ1jntU" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
 
Question. I have a sponge in my display tank, and was curious if i were to get a moorish idol, would it eat it? thanks!

Maybe. Probably. If you like your sponge, I wouldn't chance it. If you are looking to feed the Idol, then it is hit or miss.
 
Another pic of my Moorish Idol. Doesnt he look happy? :)

0D599F19-9DDC-40E3-A5FE-2516CC308A9B-276-000000C25F3DDAEB_zpse529e93d.jpg


EEB5AC1D-A6F1-46E8-88B8-F42109A1E890-276-000000C302FD269B_zps3c22ee19.jpg


23B17D71-68A8-4481-919F-4DC87637D95F-303-000000CABEA2D587_zpsd5c68484.jpg
 
Last edited:
My Moorish is now in my DT for almost 2 years. He is doing really good and is such an awesome fish! Love this guy and he shows me love too :-)
 
That's probably the longest I've heard of a MI in a mixed reef without totally decimating it.

You must keep him well fed.....what do you feed and how often?
 
That's probably the longest I've heard of a MI in a mixed reef without totally decimating it.

You must keep him well fed.....what do you feed and how often?

There's been a decent amount of stories in this thread of Idols behaving in mixed reefs for much longer than 2 years. I've had mine for about 1 1/2 years now and he's been a model citizen, and you're right, I think the key is keeping them well fed with diverse food.

I feed him 3 times/day with a mixture of frozen seafood (including brine, mysis, angel mix, scallops, clams, table shrimp, nori and fresh garlic) that I chop/blend myself and freeze, along with an autofeeder of pellets twice daily.

-Chad
 
I have had no problems with this guy yet. He just munched my zoas, but thats normal. I think that I was lucky and got a really healthy MI. I feed Spirulina, pellets, frozen (artemia/mysis) and some Nori/Salade and this 3 times/day.
 
I got my moorish idol from DD a week ago. Everything started out great. The Idol was eating everything: new life spectrum pellets, nori, frozen mysis, hikari angel formula, clams. After about 5 days, I do not see it eating anything. It's been this way for 2 days. Any idea what is causing the change in appetite?

 
Last edited:
Back
Top