The Moorish Idol Thread

[Jesterrace]

The Blue Throat Trigger might work since they tend to be less aggressive and better tank mates than the majority of other Trigger fish.

 

[pinnatus]

Hi all! I need some help with my MI, I've had him 6 weeks in quarantine feeding really well from day 1 on flake and NLS pellets. I was due to put him into the DT yesterday but he's stop feeding and his respiration rate has increased. All parameters on the tank are fine, nothing has changed. The tank has an internal filter and an air pump running. I've tried live black worms a range of flake/pellets and still no luck, he has started to loose weight as he's a small juvenile. Any help or advice would be great!

Try purple nori. That is the only thing my two Idols are eating at all.

 

[lagatbezan]

Hi all! I need some help with my MI, I've had him 6 weeks in quarantine feeding really well from day 1 on flake and NLS pellets. I was due to put him into the DT yesterday but he's stop feeding and his respiration rate has increased. All parameters on the tank are fine, nothing has changed. The tank has an internal filter and an air pump running. I've tried live black worms a range of flake/pellets and still no luck, he has started to loose weight as he's a small juvenile. Any help or advice would be great!

any other symptoms? Have you treated for flukes or other medications?
Maybe do a large water change and see if it helps.

 

[heuerfan]

My 2nd moorish idol fresh out of hypo......
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HJP95wWETTQ

Here is big brother,
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0a6MrW7fKWo

 

[Georgephoenix]

Hi guys sorry for my late response! I decided to move him over into the DT as he had completed his quarantine time and treatments. Within a day his respiration had returned to normal and he started feeding again just fine... not sure what was wrong with the quarantine tank but my Moorish Idol is doing great now!

 

[Georgephoenix]

Hi! I've had my Idol coming up to six months now he's doing really well! Lately however he's started to loose weight even though he appeared to be eating fine, but looking closer he has damaged his mouth and can't seem to catch the food (flake and pellet) - looks like he's been chasing the bubbles trying to eat them and in result of this his mouth banging into the plastic lid! I've put in some larger meatier food (Ocean nutrition angel formula) which he seems to be doing ok with. Has anyone else experienced anything like this? Do you think his mouth will heal over time?

 

[AMD30]

Hi, i am from phoenix as well and got a great MI eating mysis and enriched frozen brine shrimp from Kona Reef which has one in their display tank. where did you get yours from?

 

[jjoos99]

Sad day for my tank. I have had my idol for 3 years now and have noticed lately his body wasnt as fat and full as normal. Yesterday I noticed it's bottom fin had a fairly large section missing and during feeding time he ate but not with his normal gusto. Went to clean the tank today and found him stuck to the side of my vortec. Not sure if I will try another one if they will have such a short life in captivity.
Jeff

 

[pfan151]

Well I finally took the plunge after years of thinking about it. Saw one at my LFS that looked fat and was eating so I couldn’t resist. I bought it yesterday and placed it directly into hypo. It’s mostly eating off the rocks and food that makes it to the sand at this point. Not really eating out of the water column so far. I have found that it really likes masstick. I spread some on a clam shell and then pressed nls pellets into it and it immediately destroyed it. It had the whole shell clean within minutes. I figure this should be a good way to get a lot of nutrition into it. I’m going to add flake to the masstick when I feed tomorrow.

 

[pfan151]

Here she is. Can't wait to get her out of QT. Might already be my favorite fish. The streamer has somehow grown about an inch in the last two days.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[heuerfan]

Looks great pfan151, best of luck with her! They are my favorite fish, i like to feed mine hikari seaweed extreme pellets as well!

 

[jjoos99]

I am missing my MI that I had for 3 years and would like to order another. Would it be better to order medium or large size fish? I am thinking of going with 2 at first. I think it would help with them eating and keeping each more comfortable while in qt. Once out of qt and if they both make it I can sell one of them seeing as long term they dont seem to do good with more then one.
thanks
jeff

 

[pfan151]

I am missing my MI that I had for 3 years and would like to order another. Would it be better to order medium or large size fish? I am thinking of going with 2 at first. I think it would help with them eating and keeping each more comfortable while in qt. Once out of qt and if they both make it I can sell one of them seeing as long term they dont seem to do good with more then one.
thanks
jeff

I don't really think there is any benefit to buying more than one as far as making them feel comfortable. I'd go with medium size.

 

[IUfan]

Had my Moorish Idol for about 4 months now. He's eaten like a champ since day 1.

To me his belly looks fat, but looks skinny up around his lateral line, otherwise he looks healthy to me. just curious to how the moorish idol experts thought he looked?

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[pfan151]

Looks slightly thin to me. I’d try worming it with Fenbendazole. I inject PE mysis using a TB syringe and feed it every 3 days for 4 treatments. Seems to work well and I’ve never had any issues doing it in the display tank.

Are you feeding pellets?

 

[heuerfan]

He is on the thin side but the good thing is his belly looks nice and full As long as he is eating keep him well fed and he will start to bulk up, just takes some time. If you can get him eating pellets that would help a lot as well.

Good luck!

 

[jjoos99]

I received 2 idols from a wholesaler last week. One came in with a buoyancy issue and didnt make it past the first day. the other one was eating by the second day. it was funny watching it eat the new food for the first time. He would take a bite of food and shake his head back and forth like he was saying YUCK. Eating brine, mysis, and krill so far. Not much going for nori yet.
Jeff

 

[pfan151]

He is on the thin side but the good thing is his belly looks nice and full As long as he is eating keep him well fed and he will start to bulk up, just takes some time. If you can get him eating pellets that would help a lot as well.

Good luck!

You don't think there could be a parasite issue? I'd expect it to be filled out by now since he mentioned he's had it 4 months and said it eats well

 

[heuerfan]

You don't think there could be a parasite issue? I'd expect it to be filled out by now since he mentioned he's had it 4 months and said it eats well

In my opinion no, i think he looks okay. My two idols took some time to pack on the weight, just keep him well fed and make sure he is not competing for food with tank mates.

I think parasites would be visible and also cause the idol not to eat.

my 2 cents....

 

[carrots]

I agree with pfan. Treat it for internal parasites. If it is eating well and not putting on weight by now it sounds like intestinal worms are getting well fed. Treat with MetroPlex. before it loses it's appetite from malnutrition.