The Moorish Idol Thread

[mapleredta]

Well, after a six year break from the hobby, I'm back in. I went to the fish store to admire a pair of onyx clowns that were sold that I wanted. Feeling disappointed that I missed such as nice pair of clowns, I turned around to look at the remaining livestock and there he was. My king of the ocean! I watched him for about thirty minutes grazing on things in the tank. I asked the owner of the store what he was eating and how long he had him. I proceeded to ask if he would feed him to allow me to watch him eat first hand. He ate like a champ. I brought him home, got him in my tank and he's settled in nicely thus far. I'm going to keep an eye on my Scopas tang since he chased the idol around a few times. I'm so glad to once again have the fish that started my saltwater obsession.

 

[mapleredta]

A shot of the king in his new home.

 

[NerdCage]

I'm still only on page 8 of this thread, but I'm wondering. I keep seeing the advice to buy a mated pair. How does one actually do that? My LFS has a list of fish they can get in, but they can't specify mated pairs.

 

[jminick2]

The Moorish Idol Thread

You won't find a mated pair I've been looking the past 2 years and have never seen it.

 

[Jonvo324]

The Moorish Idol Thread

I'm still only on page 8 of this thread, but I'm wondering. I keep seeing the advice to buy a mated pair. How does one actually do that? My LFS has a list of fish they can get in, but they can't specify mated pairs.

As you continue reading the thread. Most people who have tried getting a mates pair can't and also if you buy two MI they may fight. Some have kept a pair together for a few months then one will start becoming aggressive.

 

[Breakthecycle2]

As you continue reading the thread. Most people who have tried getting a mates pair can't and also if you buy two MI they will fight. Some have kept a pair together for a few months then one will start becoming aggressive.

Not mine.

 

[RealReef7]

I've had mine for about 12 days. Both are eating spirulina pellets and rods food nicely!

 

[RealReef7]

Mine are always swimming together, hopefully it will stay that way. I've also noticed the banners show growth everyday which is pretty cool!

 

[NerdCage]

As you continue reading the thread. Most people who have tried getting a mates pair can't and also if you buy two MI they may fight. Some have kept a pair together for a few months then one will start becoming aggressive.

Geez, spoiler alert!

Thanks, I'm up to page 29 now. Such a mixed bag of emotions with all successes and failures.

 

[Dmorty217]

Where are most getting there MI from? I have a few sources for them but wanted to hear from those who have had theirs for a year or more (singles or pairs)

 

[Jonvo324]

Where are most getting there MI from? I have a few sources for them but wanted to hear from those who have had theirs for a year or more (singles or pairs)

I've had mine for a year now and I got mine at a LFS. sure there are some reputable sources to buy one. Some online sources have WYSIWYG, so you can see the fish before you buy it. But I prefer buying locally, if possible since it may not be possible for all, because I rather see how the fish eats, looks, swims and behaves. You can't see all that from a pic on a wysiwyg.

 

[Curt2199]

I've had mine for a year. It eats everything. I started with a pair and the smaller killed off the second one. They did great in QT together for a month and great for another month in the display until the smaller started getting aggressive toward the larger. It's in a 360g 4ft tall tank so once fish are in they stay in. Only fish I've ever been able to catch is a jawfish that swam at the top of the tank trying to escape. lol

 

[ace_92101]

I've had mine for a year. It eats everything. I started with a pair and the smaller killed off the second one. They did great in QT together for a month and great for another month in the display until the smaller started getting aggressive toward the larger. It's in a 360g 4ft tall tank so once fish are in they stay in. Only fish I've ever been able to catch is a jawfish that swam at the top of the tank trying to escape. lol

This seems to be fairly typical with eventually one killing the other unless they're in a very large system. BTW, that's a beautiful tank!

 

[Dmorty217]

I'm not looking to try a pair in my 625g, one will be just fine. I don't have a LFS near me that you could give me fish from let alone buy something from, so I'm afraid that isn't a option. I too would rather observe the fish before buying but that isn't always possible. I especially like to see the fish behave for diagnosing disease before purchasing

 

[big mamma]

i got mine from live aquaria 5 months out of california. it is from fiji. came in skinny but has fattened up since.

 

[Curt2199]

This seems to be fairly typical with eventually one killing the other unless they're in a very large system. BTW, that's a beautiful tank!

Thanks and mine came from Underwater World in LA back when I was buying wholesale. I bought a pair to eventually sell and couldn't let them go.

 

[Dmorty217]

i got mine from live aquaria 5 months out of california. it is from fiji. came in skinny but has fattened up since.

I know QM brings in their fair share. Anyone purchased diver direct from HI?

 

[RealReef7]

My "pair" is direct from Hawaii to my LFS. It's been exactly 16 days under my care and now they eat everything I put in the tank, including any meaty lps coral that existed in the tank. Luckily my sps, clams and zoa garden hasn't been touched. *fingers crossed*.

Now the bad: A couple days ago I noticed one of the idols acting aggressive towards the other. The smaller, skinnier one would almost peck and try and chase the other one during feeding. The slightly bigger one just runs away or turns to its side and I've noticed this happening more frequently in the last couple of days. Luckily I haven't seen any loss in appetite from both fish at all.

If I had to do this all over again, I would of just bought a single idol. I think the aggression between the pair causes unnecessary stress and maybe even more harm. The only reason why I bought 2 was because they were the only 2 out of the 10 that were eating at the LFS.

 

[RealReef7]

Also I'd like to add some info of my tank for those who are wondering. My tank is SPS dominant 8' 300g tank that's about 5 months old now but most of the livestock is about 10+ years old from my old mature system. I only have a few fish:
-2x MI
-1 blue tang
-1 yellow corris wrasse
-1 flame hawk
-1 watchmen goby

Soon to come: Sohal tang and yellow tang that are halfway done with QT.:bounce2:

 

[big mamma]

My "pair" is direct from Hawaii to my LFS. It's been exactly 16 days under my care and now they eat everything I put in the tank, including any meaty lps coral that existed in the tank. Luckily my sps, clams and zoa garden hasn't been touched. *fingers crossed*.

Now the bad: A couple days ago I noticed one of the idols acting aggressive towards the other. The smaller, skinnier one would almost peck and try and chase the other one during feeding. The slightly bigger one just runs away or turns to its side and I've noticed this happening more frequently in the last couple of days. Luckily I haven't seen any loss in appetite from both fish at all.

If I had to do this all over again, I would of just bought a single idol. I think the aggression between the pair causes unnecessary stress and maybe even more harm. The only reason why I bought 2 was because they were the only 2 out of the 10 that were eating at the LFS.

i have never heard of any one keeping two with out this happening. your zoa garden is probably next.