My Moorish Idol

Eel Freak · 03/15/2011, 08:46 PM

A couple days ago I walked into my LFS and lo and behold there was this gorgeous 5" long Moorish Idol that was about 8" tall. It appeared in good health but was stuck in a small 20" x 20" or so cube and would reluctantly pick at some red algae off the clip. I took it home with me.

Fast forward to today and it is currently residing in my 125 gallon mixed reef, eating almost everything I throw at it. It eats both red and green algae off the clip, and eats my home-made(ish) frozen food (A mix of Rod's Reef, H2O life Marine Fusion, Brine Shrimp, Cuttlefish, Octopus, Squid, Cocktail shrimp, Clams, Mussels, Red and Green Marine Algae) like a pig, particularly the squid and cuttlefish. I also have a type of pink sponge that grows all over in the 125g, on rocks in the sump, and in my 205g tank which the Idol picks off the rocks all day. Included are two O.K. pictures and a video of it eating some red algae off the clip! Excuse the bit of cyano please... Enjoy!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rrRtS...e_gdata_player

Enzel · 03/15/2011, 08:50 PM

Nice fish! Good luck with it. I've been contemplating getting one, but have never gotten the courage to try it despite how many times I've seen them at my LFS

Eel Freak · 03/15/2011, 08:53 PM

Thanks! It seems to be in good health and has assumed dominance in the tank, even pushing around the Scopas Tang I've had in there for quite some time. It's fearless, and I'm working on getting it to eat from my hand...

I would only get one from your LFS if you saw it show interest in food, it would probably be more inclined to eat with gusto once in a bigger system and surrounded by other fish all in a frenzy eating the food...

collie man · 03/15/2011, 08:56 PM

i wish i could have that in my artisan cube! it looks very healthy and hungry. good to know some people cant stand to see the harm fish stores can do to large reef fish. thank you for saving that beautiful creature. keep up the good work!

-Jeremy

duncantse · 03/15/2011, 09:00 PM

Looks so pretty! How much did you buy it for?

Eel Freak · 03/15/2011, 09:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by collie man

i wish i could have that in my artisan cube! it looks very healthy and hungry. good to know some people cant stand to see the harm fish stores can do to large reef fish. thank you for saving that beautiful creature. keep up the good work!

-Jeremy

Thank you! It's a shame to see these guys come in off the reef and whither away...

Quote:

Originally Posted by duncantse

Looks so pretty! How much did you buy it for?

Snagged it for $85!

Lynnmw1208 · 03/15/2011, 09:20 PM

beautiful! I hope he does well!

ludnix · 03/15/2011, 09:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by collie man

i wish i could have that in my artisan cube! it looks very healthy and hungry. good to know some people cant stand to see the harm fish stores can do to large reef fish. thank you for saving that beautiful creature. keep up the good work!

-Jeremy

Keep in mind that buying a fish from a store to save it is doing it's species a disservice. Most stores that are selling a difficult fish will continue to order them regardless of difficulty if they are selling well. There are a few good stores that will not order fish they know are difficult to keep alive, but probably not the ones you'll find moorish idols in.

Beautiful fish Eel Freak, I hope it does well in your tank. They have always been my favorite if you couldn't tell.
<---

collie man · 03/15/2011, 09:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ludnix

Keep in mind that buying a fish from a store to save it is doing it's species a disservice. Most stores that are selling a difficult fish will continue to order them regardless of difficulty if they are selling well. There are a few good stores that will not order fish they know are difficult to keep alive, but probably not the ones you'll find moorish idols in.

Beautiful fish Eel Freak, I hope it does well in your tank. They have always been my favorite if you couldn't tell.
<---

true, i just think it is good people have the sense to put the cost a side and simply save a fish to save the beauty. thats all im saying.

Eel Freak, i hope that guy does great! he looks amazing! he looks like he will be the boss of the tank one day! SCAR!

Eel Freak · 03/15/2011, 09:41 PM

Yep, it's a catch-22, buying the Idol, that is. But, at least it will hopefully be one less individual that will slowly wither away and perish, unnoticed.

Thanks for all the compliments on it! I agree, it is a really good looking specimen! And the fact that it is eating so readily is giving me great hope.

mnchartier · 03/16/2011, 10:00 AM

A fellow in our local club has one that he has had for a year now and it is doing well.
I will contact him to see if he doesnt mind me posting a pic of it and also maybe he can chime in on it also

mnchartier · 03/16/2011, 10:21 AM

Here are a few pictures of the above mentioned Idol with permission of the owner

bagz727 · 03/16/2011, 11:11 AM

are moorish idol reef safe?

djkms · 03/16/2011, 11:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bagz727

are moorish idol reef safe?

No. Idols will eat corals. I would classify them about as reef safe as Angels or certain butterflies.

I have a Idol in my mixed reef. It eats my Palys and Pipe Organ. It hasnt touched anything else, yet. I have lps, sps, zoas, etc.

Alex T. · 03/16/2011, 01:11 PM

A friend of mine had a Moorih Idol in his 155 bow for years. Big, fat and a very healthy eater. His interests turned to reefing so he actually bought one of my corals...a large and aggressive colony of Green Hydnophora that had been attacking some neighboring SPS in my tank. Within minutes his Idol began making it his lunch. He since removed the Hydnophora to a smaller reef that he has. He swears that the key to keeping it is NLS pellets...apparently highly regarded for keeping fish like Moorish Idols and Regal Angels alive....both of which have been in his care for years and flourishing. Aside from being up to the individual fish in a reef tank, I believe these fish need multiple feedings per day to keep them healthy and alive. I'm also pretty confident it is one of the most risky choices in a reef tank because of its' propensity to dine on any coral.

Alex T. · 03/16/2011, 01:12 PM

...and just to add to my above post, the Idol was re-homed to a much larger system a few months ago and is doing well.

spskid01 · 03/16/2011, 01:15 PM

Once you got the fish home what steps did you take to get him to start to eat or did he eat right out the bag ?

Do idols nip Sps ?

djkms · 03/16/2011, 01:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by spskid01

Once you got the fish home what steps did you take to get him to start to eat or did he eat right out the bag ?

Do idols nip Sps ?

Here is a good source of info on Moorish Idols:
http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=607477

karsseboom · 03/16/2011, 01:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by duncantse

Looks so pretty! How much did you buy it for?

its a moorish idol not for beginners...lol thats why you never see then for sell. most cost around 100 bucks

Eel Freak · 03/16/2011, 10:25 PM

I had another bout of success today; the Idol took food from my hand for the first time! Video included...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZoPUY3XwZss

DuchessDeanna · 03/17/2011, 01:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Eel Freak

I had another bout of success today; the Idol took food from my hand for the first time! Video included...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZoPUY3XwZss

Beautiful video!! Is that a chocolate tang that steals some too?

Eel Freak · 03/17/2011, 06:22 AM

Thank you! Actually, it's a really small Scopas tang, but I had a chocolate once and the resemblance is striking!

Keimaxbode · 12/06/2012, 01:43 PM

How is your MI doing?

Bernie21 · 12/06/2012, 03:06 PM

I got one almost a month ago... He looked too healthy but wasnt eating. He eats like a big and owns my tank. Definitely my favorite Fish!

robs.mark · 12/06/2012, 05:21 PM

beautiful fish, ive never had the confidence to try one though.

03/15/2011, 08:46 PM	#1
Eel Freak Fimbriated Moray Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: The Space Coast Posts: 830	My Moorish Idol A couple days ago I walked into my LFS and lo and behold there was this gorgeous 5" long Moorish Idol that was about 8" tall. It appeared in good health but was stuck in a small 20" x 20" or so cube and would reluctantly pick at some red algae off the clip. I took it home with me. Fast forward to today and it is currently residing in my 125 gallon mixed reef, eating almost everything I throw at it. It eats both red and green algae off the clip, and eats my home-made(ish) frozen food (A mix of Rod's Reef, H2O life Marine Fusion, Brine Shrimp, Cuttlefish, Octopus, Squid, Cocktail shrimp, Clams, Mussels, Red and Green Marine Algae) like a pig, particularly the squid and cuttlefish. I also have a type of pink sponge that grows all over in the 125g, on rocks in the sump, and in my 205g tank which the Idol picks off the rocks all day. Included are two O.K. pictures and a video of it eating some red algae off the clip! Excuse the bit of cyano please... Enjoy! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rrRtS...e_gdata_player __________________ I plan to procrastinate. Current Tank Info: 205g Mixed Reef - 3x Radion XR30w Gen 2, twin VorTechs, SRO-XP5000e, 50g estuary, 125g fuge, OM 4-way

03/15/2011, 08:53 PM	#3
Eel Freak Fimbriated Moray Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: The Space Coast Posts: 830	Thanks! It seems to be in good health and has assumed dominance in the tank, even pushing around the Scopas Tang I've had in there for quite some time. It's fearless, and I'm working on getting it to eat from my hand... I would only get one from your LFS if you saw it show interest in food, it would probably be more inclined to eat with gusto once in a bigger system and surrounded by other fish all in a frenzy eating the food... __________________ I plan to procrastinate. Current Tank Info: 205g Mixed Reef - 3x Radion XR30w Gen 2, twin VorTechs, SRO-XP5000e, 50g estuary, 125g fuge, OM 4-way

03/15/2011, 09:20 PM	#7
Lynnmw1208 Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Brunswick, Ohio Posts: 3,306	beautiful! I hope he does well! __________________ equipment: Eshopps psk-200 skimmer, Mag 12 pump, 30gal sump, 2x 300w Finnex heaters, glass-holes 1500gph overflow kit with 3/4" return kits, 72" 8x36w t-5 AquaticLife light, 66lbs of LR, 150lbs of tropic eden reeflakes, 2 Koralia Evo 1400, JBJ ATO, BRS dual GFO/carbon reactors, Hydor smartwave Current Tank Info: 125gallon

03/15/2011, 09:41 PM	#10
Eel Freak Fimbriated Moray Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: The Space Coast Posts: 830	Yep, it's a catch-22, buying the Idol, that is. But, at least it will hopefully be one less individual that will slowly wither away and perish, unnoticed. Thanks for all the compliments on it! I agree, it is a really good looking specimen! And the fact that it is eating so readily is giving me great hope. __________________ I plan to procrastinate. Current Tank Info: 205g Mixed Reef - 3x Radion XR30w Gen 2, twin VorTechs, SRO-XP5000e, 50g estuary, 125g fuge, OM 4-way

03/16/2011, 10:00 AM	#11
mnchartier Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Oh look a river Posts: 458	A fellow in our local club has one that he has had for a year now and it is doing well. I will contact him to see if he doesnt mind me posting a pic of it and also maybe he can chime in on it also __________________ "I accept your apology." - BrianD "That's only idiotic because I don't think you're joking." - Satori (CT4 Chronicles) Current Tank Info: DD150

03/15/2011, 08:50 PM	#2
Enzel Moved On Join Date: Jan 2011 Posts: 168	Nice fish! Good luck with it. I've been contemplating getting one, but have never gotten the courage to try it despite how many times I've seen them at my LFS

03/15/2011, 08:56 PM	#4
collie man Stoney Reefer Join Date: Feb 2010 Posts: 548	i wish i could have that in my artisan cube! it looks very healthy and hungry. good to know some people cant stand to see the harm fish stores can do to large reef fish. thank you for saving that beautiful creature. keep up the good work! -Jeremy

03/15/2011, 09:00 PM	#5
duncantse Fish Advisor Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Vancouver, BC Posts: 1,604	Looks so pretty! How much did you buy it for?

03/16/2011, 10:21 AM	#12
mnchartier Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Oh look a river Posts: 458	Here are a few pictures of the above mentioned Idol with permission of the owner __________________ "I accept your apology." - BrianD "That's only idiotic because I don't think you're joking." - Satori (CT4 Chronicles) Current Tank Info: DD150

03/16/2011, 11:11 AM	#13
bagz727 Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Philippines Posts: 281	are moorish idol reef safe?

03/16/2011, 01:11 PM	#15
Alex T. Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: New Jersey Posts: 1,803	A friend of mine had a Moorih Idol in his 155 bow for years. Big, fat and a very healthy eater. His interests turned to reefing so he actually bought one of my corals...a large and aggressive colony of Green Hydnophora that had been attacking some neighboring SPS in my tank. Within minutes his Idol began making it his lunch. He since removed the Hydnophora to a smaller reef that he has. He swears that the key to keeping it is NLS pellets...apparently highly regarded for keeping fish like Moorish Idols and Regal Angels alive....both of which have been in his care for years and flourishing. Aside from being up to the individual fish in a reef tank, I believe these fish need multiple feedings per day to keep them healthy and alive. I'm also pretty confident it is one of the most risky choices in a reef tank because of its' propensity to dine on any coral.

03/16/2011, 01:12 PM	#16
Alex T. Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: New Jersey Posts: 1,803	...and just to add to my above post, the Idol was re-homed to a much larger system a few months ago and is doing well.

03/16/2011, 01:15 PM	#17
spskid01 Moved On Join Date: Feb 2011 Posts: 140	Once you got the fish home what steps did you take to get him to start to eat or did he eat right out the bag ? Do idols nip Sps ?

03/16/2011, 10:25 PM	#20
Eel Freak Fimbriated Moray Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: The Space Coast Posts: 830	I had another bout of success today; the Idol took food from my hand for the first time! Video included... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZoPUY3XwZss __________________ I plan to procrastinate. Current Tank Info: 205g Mixed Reef - 3x Radion XR30w Gen 2, twin VorTechs, SRO-XP5000e, 50g estuary, 125g fuge, OM 4-way

03/17/2011, 06:22 AM	#22
Eel Freak Fimbriated Moray Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: The Space Coast Posts: 830	Thank you! Actually, it's a really small Scopas tang, but I had a chocolate once and the resemblance is striking! __________________ I plan to procrastinate. Current Tank Info: 205g Mixed Reef - 3x Radion XR30w Gen 2, twin VorTechs, SRO-XP5000e, 50g estuary, 125g fuge, OM 4-way

12/06/2012, 01:43 PM	#23
Keimaxbode Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Richmond, IN Posts: 13	How is your MI doing? __________________ Diana Current Tank Info: 100G FOWLR with 55G sump/fuge - just purchased a 265 - not set up yet.

12/06/2012, 03:06 PM	#24
Bernie21 Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Miami, Fl... Posts: 2,161	I got one almost a month ago... He looked too healthy but wasnt eating. He eats like a big and owns my tank. Definitely my favorite Fish! __________________ Reefing is an addiction rehab doesn't work for... Current Tank Info: Downgraded to a 0 Gal non Mixed Reef - Direct sun watts & 1x moon Actinics. RIO 00 return, no skimmer Skimmer.

12/06/2012, 05:21 PM	#25
robs.mark Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Perth, Australia Posts: 1,461	beautiful fish, ive never had the confidence to try one though. __________________ knowledge is power! Current Tank Info: Lagoon

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