Shawnts106
New member
OH BTW: chisel.. BEAAUUUUTIFULLLL IDOL! love that FIN!!!
oh, and I meant NOW* im am going to put the yellow.. ect... not NOT*
oh, and I meant NOW* im am going to put the yellow.. ect... not NOT*
The Moorish Idol Thread
- Thread starter zfunk007
- Start date
CrazyLionfish
New member
and by the way shawnts, this if f1shman mwahha lol
Shawnts106
New member
OH!!! .. LOL, Well I just found out that I am permanently BAND from SWF.com... I made up a new SN too.. IDOLSROCK1... lol, they band that one too!.. OH WELL!!!
I cant stand 1 person.... ORPH!... gahhhhhhhhh... the most egotistical freak!... NM was ok.. anyway!... Get on there in one of your posts and tell everyone that I say hello! hahahaha!!!! Tell them that I say hello to NMREEF but not to ORPH! hahahah!!!!
I cant stand 1 person.... ORPH!... gahhhhhhhhh... the most egotistical freak!... NM was ok.. anyway!... Get on there in one of your posts and tell everyone that I say hello! hahahaha!!!! Tell them that I say hello to NMREEF but not to ORPH! hahahah!!!!
CrazyLionfish
New member
Dude me too!!! According to Beth and ReefNut and NMREEF they had no knowledge that I was banned. I sent the admin two letters asking why I had been banned. (no offense but you kind of had a reason to be banned badmouthing so many members lol) No response from them, made two new accounts with different e-mail adreesses and they banned them too. I think they banned my IP adress from that site. Its weird though that the moderators were unaware that I was banned and my account still said it was active. Weird. Well I'm done with them, this place is much nicer people and MUCH MUCH more intellligent. Instead of nonstop newbies these people seem like experts!!!
Shawnts106
New member
LOL! yes I did go a bit insain!... well THEY DESERVED IT!.... oh well.. and YEAHHHH IM completly done with them! I might make an ORDER... but forget the forums!
Yes I agree RC is alot better.... alot nicer knowledgable people!!!
Yes I agree RC is alot better.... alot nicer knowledgable people!!!
zfunk007
Premium Member
Wow chisel thats amazing that you actually found a Moorish Idol with his fin intact! Looks great!
I'm glad you guys like Reef Central. It is a great site. Thanks for the updates Shawnts106, I'm glad your Idol is eating now. Mine will eat blue sponge as well that I get around here. I usually freeze it first though and then give it to him with his regular food.
Hope everyone else's Idols are doing well also.
I'm glad you guys like Reef Central. It is a great site. Thanks for the updates Shawnts106, I'm glad your Idol is eating now. Mine will eat blue sponge as well that I get around here. I usually freeze it first though and then give it to him with his regular food.
Hope everyone else's Idols are doing well also.
Beckmola24
New member
I am considering a MI and I have several questions that I was wondering if someone here could answer.
Here goes. What depths are MI's usually found at?? I'm curious what the water currents are like in their natural habitats and also how much they are exposed to lighting extremes. Also do they spend much time on the bottom. Just wondering if a BB tank would add stress to their lives. Also what size tank do you think is minimum for a MI? Are they from areas with normal tropical water temps (76-80) Also do you know if they sleep at night? If so do they go into rockwork to sleep? Lastly, besides sponges is there anything else they eat in the wild that could be supplemented in their captive diets?? Thanks so much!
Here goes. What depths are MI's usually found at?? I'm curious what the water currents are like in their natural habitats and also how much they are exposed to lighting extremes. Also do they spend much time on the bottom. Just wondering if a BB tank would add stress to their lives. Also what size tank do you think is minimum for a MI? Are they from areas with normal tropical water temps (76-80) Also do you know if they sleep at night? If so do they go into rockwork to sleep? Lastly, besides sponges is there anything else they eat in the wild that could be supplemented in their captive diets?? Thanks so much!
zfunk007
Premium Member
Well Beckmola24, I can answer some of your questions but not all of them. As far as I know their range is in the tropics so normal tropical water temperature is what they live in.
The smallest tank size "I" would reccommend would be 200 gallons. They need ALOT of room to swim around and get stressed if they can't.
When I first got my Idol he stayed out in the open at night and would change his colors around so he was lighter in coloration. Now after 2 months he has a sleeping spot he goes to every night about 15 mins after the lights go out.
And as far as suplimentation is concerned, that is one of the reasons for this thread. So we can learn what they need to be fed in captivity to keep them alive. I think most of us here are supplimenting their food with a product called "Selcon." I know that sponges and algae are major parts of their diet in the wild. So those are important.
I can't answer the questions you asked about their wild behavior, however a couple other people that post on this thread such as Paul B have dove with Moorish Idols many times and may better be able to answer those questions for you.
Hope this helps.
The smallest tank size "I" would reccommend would be 200 gallons. They need ALOT of room to swim around and get stressed if they can't.
When I first got my Idol he stayed out in the open at night and would change his colors around so he was lighter in coloration. Now after 2 months he has a sleeping spot he goes to every night about 15 mins after the lights go out.
And as far as suplimentation is concerned, that is one of the reasons for this thread. So we can learn what they need to be fed in captivity to keep them alive. I think most of us here are supplimenting their food with a product called "Selcon." I know that sponges and algae are major parts of their diet in the wild. So those are important.
I can't answer the questions you asked about their wild behavior, however a couple other people that post on this thread such as Paul B have dove with Moorish Idols many times and may better be able to answer those questions for you.
Hope this helps.
Beckmola24
New member
Thanks zfunk007!! I've talked with PaulB in the past through PM's but his box is full right now. hint hint
Paul B
Premium Member
Becky, I went to Tahiti last november mainly to dive with Idols. They are in shallow water not much more than 12' deep. Of course I saw them deeper but most of them were shallow. They were also abundant in swift moving water between small atols.
They do not hide in the corals like a butterfly would and they do not spend any time still, they are always on the move looking for food with their mated partner. I say them eating lime green sponge looking stuff which I think is a sponge. The ones in the sea look a lot healthier than any I have seen in a tank. The top fin is very thick especially at the base. I will post a picture but I think this picture is also at the beginning of the thread.
About my In box being full. Is that the same as private messages because there is nothing in there.
Take care.
Paul
They do not hide in the corals like a butterfly would and they do not spend any time still, they are always on the move looking for food with their mated partner. I say them eating lime green sponge looking stuff which I think is a sponge. The ones in the sea look a lot healthier than any I have seen in a tank. The top fin is very thick especially at the base. I will post a picture but I think this picture is also at the beginning of the thread.
About my In box being full. Is that the same as private messages because there is nothing in there.
Take care.
Paul
Beckmola24
New member
That's a nice pic! Thanks for the info Paul. Hmmm that's weird. I tried to PM you those questions and it said your inbox was full and that they'd send you an email letting you know about it.... Oh well. At least I got the answers I needed I thought I remember you saying you saw the MI's in pairs in the ocean... Am I right?? Also is there any way to tell males from females in MI's?? Thanks!
I thought I remember you saying you saw the MI's in pairs in the ocean... Am I right?? Also is there any way to tell males from females in MI's?? Thanks!
Paul B
Premium Member
The males have a bump almost like a small horn only not as pronounced on their head. You can tell better if you see two together. I only saw them swimming in pairs. The male would find the food and the female trailing about 50 feet behind would follow and when she got there the male would move on to more food in a different location.
Paul
Paul
Shawnts106
New member
BEAUTIFUL PICTURESSS!!!!
Hello there and Welcome to the MOORISH IDOL THREAD!
MI are found at shallow deapths... mainly where there is a lot of water movement and surge.
NO moorish Idols do not spend a whole lot of time at the bottom but instead more swimming around the rockwork looking for sponges to consume.... they will swim at different depths... but I DO RECOMMEND that you have at least an inch of SAND .. as in very small granual sand... on the bottom because like tangs they seem to ingest a bit for help with digestion!
There are many VIEWS of course, on the MINIMUM tank size for a MI... I have one in a 75... but have only had him now for 8 days.... I personally say that your SYSTEM... must be AT LEAST a 55 gallon, VERY MATURE... minimum of 3 years old... but most importantly have some species of sponge growing on LR.. if you do not be prepared to aquire some very fast, BLUE seems to be a favorite.. in my experience... Also a REFUGIUM FILTERED system seems to be the BEST possible tank host to keep one in... due to the excessive amount of PODS and SHRIMPS that reproduce to give some food to the MOORISH IDOL durring that first tank adjustment!.... mine MUST be eatting some Shrimps and Pods (as in Amphs... not cocos), because he always has a full belly although I do not feed him but twice a day... I have very little sponge for him to eat NOW!... lol, he ate it all!!!! haha.... either he has a secret stash somewhere... or hes eatting Pods and Shrimps... by best bet is the Pods and Shrimps! Moorish Idols seem to do better in a reef tank system than a FISH ONLY system... while NOT being REEF SAFE themselves they do better in an environment of such! I would say a MINIMUM tank length of 4 feet is MINIMUM for a SMALL (2.5 to 3inch) MI..... WIDTH is a biggy too... a minimum of 18inches is ok... they do like to move around ALOT so they must have enough room to "cruise" haha
Yes Moorish Idols sleep at night... they go into a nice little cubby hole in the rockwork and put on their "night suit" they turn a darker color... with less barring... this is how they nap!
Moorish Idols are found all over the worlds TROPICAL OCEANS... therefore a temp of 78*F to 82*F is good for them!
Their PRIMARY diet seems to be sponges... while this is PROBABLY a HUGE KEY in their survival in captivity and of course in their natual environment... other than sponge growth they feed on clams... dieing maybe.... and some LPS corals and SOME soft corals... while I have NOT seem any evidence that MINE has shown of munching on any soft corals.... he does nip at brain corals.. LOBOPHYLLIA and WELSOPHYLLIA (spelling?), other than that mine seems to ignore most every other coral! They may feed on certain algaes... MACRO but this probably does NOT consist of a primary part of their diet! Again I will say that they do feed off of Pods and Shrimps (live mysis) so its important for you to have a good population of these critters in your tank reproducing before you consider getting one!
Ive had mine 8days... just YESTERDAY did it START to nip at some Frozen foods.... they are VERY PICKY... and very sensitive... not a begginers fish at all... and lol, be prepared to spend alot of $$$ on some SERIOUS sponges and FROZEN FOODS!! as well as some PELLETS and such!
Oh yeah.. I also check at work *LFS* to see why we do not carry spectrum fish foods... the owner said they use to... but people reported that their fish and the fish at the LFS did NOT really prefer this food!...so she stoped carrying it!
, I can NOT get any foods... there is a MINIMUM order and you have to buy from SPECTRUM... so I will have to get something else!
BTW: My IDOLS streamer has DOUBLED in size since this morning since I left!!! unbelievable!! I will try to get some pictures!!!!
Hello there and Welcome to the MOORISH IDOL THREAD!
MI are found at shallow deapths... mainly where there is a lot of water movement and surge.
NO moorish Idols do not spend a whole lot of time at the bottom but instead more swimming around the rockwork looking for sponges to consume.... they will swim at different depths... but I DO RECOMMEND that you have at least an inch of SAND .. as in very small granual sand... on the bottom because like tangs they seem to ingest a bit for help with digestion!
There are many VIEWS of course, on the MINIMUM tank size for a MI... I have one in a 75... but have only had him now for 8 days.... I personally say that your SYSTEM... must be AT LEAST a 55 gallon, VERY MATURE... minimum of 3 years old... but most importantly have some species of sponge growing on LR.. if you do not be prepared to aquire some very fast, BLUE seems to be a favorite.. in my experience... Also a REFUGIUM FILTERED system seems to be the BEST possible tank host to keep one in... due to the excessive amount of PODS and SHRIMPS that reproduce to give some food to the MOORISH IDOL durring that first tank adjustment!.... mine MUST be eatting some Shrimps and Pods (as in Amphs... not cocos), because he always has a full belly although I do not feed him but twice a day... I have very little sponge for him to eat NOW!... lol, he ate it all!!!! haha.... either he has a secret stash somewhere... or hes eatting Pods and Shrimps... by best bet is the Pods and Shrimps! Moorish Idols seem to do better in a reef tank system than a FISH ONLY system... while NOT being REEF SAFE themselves they do better in an environment of such! I would say a MINIMUM tank length of 4 feet is MINIMUM for a SMALL (2.5 to 3inch) MI..... WIDTH is a biggy too... a minimum of 18inches is ok... they do like to move around ALOT so they must have enough room to "cruise" haha
Yes Moorish Idols sleep at night... they go into a nice little cubby hole in the rockwork and put on their "night suit" they turn a darker color... with less barring... this is how they nap!
Moorish Idols are found all over the worlds TROPICAL OCEANS... therefore a temp of 78*F to 82*F is good for them!
Their PRIMARY diet seems to be sponges... while this is PROBABLY a HUGE KEY in their survival in captivity and of course in their natual environment... other than sponge growth they feed on clams... dieing maybe.... and some LPS corals and SOME soft corals... while I have NOT seem any evidence that MINE has shown of munching on any soft corals.... he does nip at brain corals.. LOBOPHYLLIA and WELSOPHYLLIA (spelling?), other than that mine seems to ignore most every other coral! They may feed on certain algaes... MACRO but this probably does NOT consist of a primary part of their diet! Again I will say that they do feed off of Pods and Shrimps (live mysis) so its important for you to have a good population of these critters in your tank reproducing before you consider getting one!
Ive had mine 8days... just YESTERDAY did it START to nip at some Frozen foods.... they are VERY PICKY... and very sensitive... not a begginers fish at all... and lol, be prepared to spend alot of $$$ on some SERIOUS sponges and FROZEN FOODS!! as well as some PELLETS and such!
Oh yeah.. I also check at work *LFS* to see why we do not carry spectrum fish foods... the owner said they use to... but people reported that their fish and the fish at the LFS did NOT really prefer this food!...so she stoped carrying it!
, I can NOT get any foods... there is a MINIMUM order and you have to buy from SPECTRUM... so I will have to get something else!BTW: My IDOLS streamer has DOUBLED in size since this morning since I left!!! unbelievable!! I will try to get some pictures!!!!
Shawnts106
New member
Hey you guys.. I updated my pictures on my PAGE!!! so check it out! check out the MI streamer.. and the new aquascaping!
please let me know what you think!
My Album... Page 2
heres an Image.. if It will cooperate!.. Nevermind it wont! rrrrrr
please let me know what you think!
My Album... Page 2
heres an Image.. if It will cooperate!.. Nevermind it wont!
rrrrrr
zfunk007
Premium Member
Yeah mine only eats certain kinds. Although he likes the local Florida sponge I have gotten him in the ocean. Usually its orange, although I got him a blue one that he ate also. And Pauls seems to like the local New York sponge lol. And I guess Shawnts106's likes the blue fiji sponge he got him right? So I guess they are picky but will eat alot of different kinds of sponges.
Yeah my Idol likes the angel formula with sponge in it as well. Seems to be one of his favorites.
Shawnts106, your right, your Idols streamer has doubled in size! Thats crazy! He still looks a little skinny though. He looks like mine did when I first got him but I guess thats normal for the first month or so. Mine is fat now and his body has filled out nicely. Once yours starts taking more food he will gain weight and look better. Hopefully all goes well.
zfunk007
Premium Member
I wish that were the case with mine. Yesterday I came home to find my blue trumpet coral COMPLETELY destroyed. He is also picking on some small open brains I picked up. And he has gone after my green encrusting Montipora and some digitata. He doesn't seem to have messed with my Acro's though. Thankfully.
He is very curious about "sampling" different corals. But the LPS's he will just devour. So be wary about putting an Idol in your reef tank. Be prepared to lose a few corals if you do. Especially if they are LPS's.
Shawnts106, sorry to hear your LFS doesn't carry Spectrum pellets. Every fish I know loves them!
Shawnts106
New member
Seems as though the MI species is a very curious fish species... they nip at everything... even the fishing line on the stuffed clams! HAHA!
Yes the MI's love just certain species of sponges.... the tree sponges *red and orange* that your talking about are deep water sponges... since the Idols are mainly caught on shallow reefs then they would have never known these sponges exsist... that isnt part of their natural sponge diet if they are from the shallower reefs
LOL, yeha I know.. came home today and its grown even MORE since the pics!! LOL, they realllllly grow them like CRAZY!!! which is good... looks beautiful!!!!.... yes he is a bit skinny, but has a fat belly! its funny!
He has stopped nipping at my Lobo brain today... so thats good! hes just seems to be always TICKED at the coral beauty... I thats because the CB is always swimming near him! HAHA! He seems as though he just wants to scream out... GET AWAY FROM ME!!!
haha... crazzzy idols!
Paul,
To clear your PM, you have to clear all of your boxes, in box, out box, tracked box, all of them.
To clear your PM, you have to clear all of your boxes, in box, out box, tracked box, all of them.
