Moorish Idol feeding

[ValorG]

I got 2 Moorish Idols that were pecking on pellets at the store, so far they haven't touched blanched veggies, flake food, mysis. But they are pecking at the rocks a lot looking for food. Will be getting 2 types of new life spectrum pellets in soon. Any other suggestions on food?

 

[jedimaster1138]

When in doubt, live blackworms. I've yet to see a fish not go bonkers for em.

 

[salpet]

you can also try live brine shrimps, but valor you are definitely up to a challenge trying to keep them alive for any amount of time. they are beautiful fish that should not be collected

 

[ValorG]

They are both eating the nls pellets, feeding sponges from my sump. So far theyre doing ok. Had to try salpet, been wanting them for awhile.

 

[vashawn]

I was thinking of getting 1 but hesitate because of there eating habits and short life span. Let me know how it goes and Gl!

 

[ZANYMASTER]

Worst fish to keep alive.They love sponges

 

[d5332]

from the one I have, the Moorish will clean your rocks of sponges and anything else it can forage.

I have been keeping an eye on the Moorish and it will eat small amounts without spitting it out of mysis, clams, mysis/spirulina flakes.

I intentionally did not feed the tank from Monday to last night and found the moorish will not simply linger in front of the glass begging for food, it began eating some corals, which I don't mind thus far.

Point is, if its eating pellets and sponges then they have a fighting chance, will need to find a way to entice otherwise polyps may become dinner.

 

[skiwez]

It's still very early for me I got a 2.5 maybe 3 inch Morish Idol. Was eating tentatively eating mysis in the store. Was able to get it eat LRF fish frenzy. It eats that vigorously now. I clip a 1.5 inch square in one of those TLF algae clip. seems to work real well.

I've had the fish maybe 3 weeks, but it has definitely plumped up and has regrown alot of its streamer. Not calling it success yet, but going in the correct direction. I also have an auto feeder that drops in new life spectrum pellets but I'm not sure if it eats any of those because those drop while I'm working

 

[ValorG]

It's still very early for me I got a 2.5 maybe 3 inch Morish Idol. Was eating tentatively eating mysis in the store. Was able to get it eat LRF fish frenzy. It eats that vigorously now. I clip a 1.5 inch square in one of those TLF algae clip. seems to work real well.

I've had the fish maybe 3 weeks, but it has definitely plumped up and has regrown alot of its streamer. Not calling it success yet, but going in the correct direction. I also have an auto feeder that drops in new life spectrum pellets but I'm not sure if it eats any of those because those drop while I'm working

Sounds great so far, how long did it take to get the fish to eat the fish frenzy?

 

[Reeffrenzy]

As mentioned MI don't have the best track record in home aquariums. Fresh clams are often recommended to get them picking at something if they aren't eating anything at all. Our foods have plenty of fresh shucked clams and that may be one of the reasons the store was feeding LRS.

I know its a shameful plug, but since someone brought up LRS I'll through this video up from Lebanon, Beirut of a customer's tank. The MI has been in there for nearly 3 years and eating LRS for the past year. It has some beautiful fish to say the least so it is worth taking a peek.

Good luck!

https://youtu.be/MQh-AXYEjEA

 

[skiwez]

Hard to say, I tried after a week. First two times he would only eat little pieces that broke off. After 3 days he was fighting off my copperbands for the clip.

 

[ValorG]

As mentioned MI don't have the best track record in home aquariums. Fresh clams are often recommended to get them picking at something if they aren't eating anything at all. Our foods have plenty of fresh shucked clams and that may be one of the reasons the store was feeding LRS.

I know its a shameful plug, but since someone brought up LRS I'll through this video up from Lebanon, Beirut of a customer's tank. The MI has been in there for nearly 3 years and eating LRS for the past year. It has some beautiful fish to say the least so it is worth taking a peek.

Good luck!

https://youtu.be/MQh-AXYEjEA

Cool! Do you know if he feeds his fish on only your product?

Hard to say, I tried after a week. First two times he would only eat little pieces that broke off. After 3 days he was fighting off my copperbands for the clip.

I'll give it a try

 

[Reeffrenzy]

Cool! Do you know if he feeds his fish on only your product?

I have not spoken to Raed in a few months but when I last heard from him he was only feeding LRS. He bought nearly 100 packs to help offset the $650 freight to Lebanon via DHL so it should have lasted him a long time.

His last email to me noted these observations:

- most fish took to it immediately

- fish colors have improved although they were very good to begin with. I have noticed colors getting richer.

- fish transitioning into adult coloration (I always try my best buying the smallest possible juvies) and that have stagnated for a bit, have continued that transition fairly quickly. A prime example would be my chrysurus angel. Color transformation had almost stopped for a while, but then started seeing the change again. I've had that fish since it was 1 in.

- fish aggression has increased within the same species, and that would be normal in my case, as I try to keep them in pairs (not necessarily mated or m/f), and that probably because the food is pushing their mating behavior.

I could not be happier about the food and look forward for a new order (which might not be too far away, as I have a frozen container departing the USA soon, will keep you posted).

 

[skiwez]

How's the fish doing? We're you able to get it to eat?

 

[ValorG]

Yeah, so far so good, just getting it fat on nls pellets right now before I try other foods.

 

[bklynreef]

I hope these guys arent in your coral tank? Ive went through these fish and i know what they are capable of for over the past 7 years of dealing with them. The pair were in my tank when i had LPS and softies, living and eating for almost 2 years on pellets then they got a taste for the corals so i sold them. The when i went SPS i figured id try again so i purchased another pair. They were eating pellets and doing great for about a month then they aquired a taste for my SPS and Chalices just picking, grazing on them constantly so out they went. These are one of my favorite and most beautiful fish but alas i gave up hope in finding a reef safe one. if i ever buy them again it would be from a tank that had corals and they didnt pick on them. Just some advice so if you see anything going on with your corals you have your answer. I didnt realize till i caught them in the act. always thought it was my parameters or something else.

 

[ValorG]

Yes they are, well one is now. Selling the other. I'm hoping that if I have enough sps, even if he does peck, it will spread out the pecking to many colonies to where the sps will be ok.

 

[ValorG]

Hmm... i am noticing 3 branching on my oregon tort are bit up, the tips. I am not liking that....

 

[Master Shake]

squid is attractive to many picky fish i believe mostly because of the scent, finely grated frozen squid with a cheese grater might do the trick

 

[bklynreef]

Trust me valor. It's this specific fish I love most of all and it horrible that I can have them in my tank. Mabe we can breed a reef safe one some day. I know all too well they aren't coral safe. They will pick on sps, chalices and zoes. If u find ones that don't consider it a miracle.