The Moorish Idol Thread
- Thread starter zfunk007
- Start date
sc50964
New member
I started to feed more. The spine is less visible and the streamer is longer now.
Feed a lot of Nori. That will help the streamer grow. There is a thin filament that grows in the streamer. That takes a while to grow. The flappy fin part, however, grows fast, maybe an inch a day. That will fall off frequently until the filiment has grown in. Nori is key for the streamer growth, IME. That picture above shows the thin filament, but it is broken so it will have to fall off and start growing again.
Not to nit pick, but.... I really don't know anyone that has kept most of the fish, especially the butterflies, I have, for more than 5 years, so not sure that should be your deciding factor. Oh and Mr. Tuskfish kept his for more than 5 years.
Dmorty217
Saltwater Addict
Great point, not that 5 yrs isn't a long enough time but I would like to have some if not most of my fish 10-15 yrs from now... Looks like I will be giving one a try. What's the consensus on where the best ones are caught from?
One of the things that seems to be in our favor of late with the Moorish Idols is they seem to be better collected or better handled during shipping, or both, thus they are arriving healthier than in the past. At least that is what it seems like to me.
That being said, I would think Hawaii would be a good source for them. I do not know where mine came from, however. I got a trio when I got mine. All three were healthy and eating, however, they killed each other off til there was just one, which as I have said, is now 5 1/2 years old.
That being said, I would think Hawaii would be a good source for them. I do not know where mine came from, however. I got a trio when I got mine. All three were healthy and eating, however, they killed each other off til there was just one, which as I have said, is now 5 1/2 years old.
Dmorty217
Saltwater Addict
Ken, you were who I was thinking of when I said the 5yr success with MI. I would also ink that Hawaii collected ones would be the best bet but you never know. Do you think the three you had killed one another off because the tank wasn't large enough or they are best left singly?
I had ordered them but had not taken possesion of them yet - my tank was not quite ready. The guy I ordered from kept them in his sump, which was relatively small. That is where they killed each other. By the time my tank was ready, there was only one left. So, I can't answer your question, maybe they would have been fine if I had all 3 in my 240 gallon tank. But based on other accounts that I have read, it seems others have had them kill each other off too. Although there are reports of multiples doing OK too.
Here were the 3. I never actually saw them in person.
Here were the 3. I never actually saw them in person.
Dmorty217
Saltwater Addict
I had ordered them but had not taken possesion of them yet - my tank was not quite ready. The guy I ordered from kept them in his sump, which was relatively small. That is where they killed each other. By the time my tank was ready, there was only one left. So, I can't answer your question, maybe they would have been fine if I had all 3 in my 240 gallon tank. But based on other accounts that I have read, it seems others have had them kill each other off too. Although there are reports of multiples doing OK too.
Here were the 3. I never actually saw them in person.
Well that must have been disappointing. I have read others accounts of them not doing well in groups and others saying they do ok together so I guess it's a risk when trying a group of them. I would think the larger the tank the better chances for success?
usingthejohn
New member
In my research, MI caught from Hawaii or Mexico tend to fare better due to better capturing techniques and shorter transit times, as most whole sellers are in California.
Regarding pairs or trios of MI: it's a guessing game, to echo Pinnatus.
Regarding pairs or trios of MI: it's a guessing game, to echo Pinnatus.
silverarrow27
Member
Mine I bought on Sunday finally started to eat this evening. Tried all the flakes and frozen brine shrimp I had. Bought some NLS pellets this evening, accidentally dropped too many and my MI started going to town. Stomach looks full now!
Ignore the green hair algae, been trying to battle it for the last month now.
Ignore the green hair algae, been trying to battle it for the last month now.
Dmorty217
Saltwater Addict
Does anyoneQT their MI? I ask because almost everytime someone mentions they got one you see a picture of it in their DT. When I get my I WILL be QTing the fish without question. Also anyone treated their MI with chloroquine phosphate ,this is what I use for all my fish and will be using it for the MI
Similar threads
