Like to hear from anyone having sucess with a Moorish Idol

[Bobzarry]

Here on the east coast every year around august the gulf stream swings in close enough that it brings in all sorts of tropicals to the north east. Most of these are juviniles, and among them are a butterfly we here call "spot fins" (I dont know the scientific name). These fish are doomed to certain death as when the waters cool back down during winter they can not adopt. After many failed atempts at keeping these in captivity, a freind and I found that by feeding live food (in this case tubafex) they would learn to eat in captivity. for the first couple of weeks they would only recieve the tubafex worms. Afterwards we would mix in frozen foods such as prime reef™.

when we cought these fish the were about the size of a thumb nail, five years later they eat anything fed to them including romain and nori, flake, and the usual frozen foods. they are now about the size of an adult yellow tang that are also housed with them.

sorry for the long rant but I found this tread very interesting, and it seems that the sucess of the idols have followed some where along the same path.

Bob

 

[gazpep]

Smokinreefer,

Sorry, I should have added that it is around 5 or 6 inches long, maybe added an inch in the 3 years I've had it .

 

[KenH]

FYI, the Angel Formula frozen food has sponge in it, but I don't know what percentage. Might be something to try with your Idol's if you think sponge is part of their normal diet. By the way, what size of tank do you two have these in and what size tank do you think is a reasonable minimum?

--- Ken

 

[grimreefer1]

For those that like the look of the Moorish Idol, but want a less risky fish, the Bannerfish is a nice subsitute.

 

[gazpep]

cubera,
I'm intrigued with the freeze dried banana chips. Did you just stumble across that?. And the Idol really liked them and there was no ill effects ?.

 

[JeremyR]

I'll have to remember that bob.. people are always catching those butterflies here in september, but they always die.. don't eat. Next one that calls me maybe I'll suggest live worms... I haven't tried that myself because I don't carry them, but I know a couple of places around here do.

 

[humu]

just wanted to share!
today while diving I saw a huge school of morish idols. it's funny how they just push other fish out of thier way

 

[gazpep]

Yeah, they aren't at all wimpy. Nothing bullies mine including an 8 inch red coris wrasse and a 6 inch Black Velvet Angel in the same tank.

 

[humu]

If I ever try one in my reef tank I'm gonna catch a small one from either waikiki or hanauma bay. WHY? because they are used to being handfed by tourists.

 

[Laurie]

Back up, please.

I got 2 of these guys almost 2 weeks ago. They are doing great, eating sponge, macro-algae and picking at the substrate - hopefully getting the Angel formula and mysis, etc., that I am putting in. I have a very small Kole tang in with them and hopefully he will show them what food to eat. They don't seem to have lost any body mass during this time so I guess they are getting enough food.

If anybody feeds macro-algae, what type are you using?

Has anybody figured out the thread off the dorsal fin yet? Both of mine now have it. One is about 2" long and the other is a little over an inch. They didn't have it when I put them in the tank. They both about 2 1/2" and seem very happy and I am in the planning stages for a larger (180+) tank for them.

TIA - Laurie

 

[JoshF]

I'll attempt to resist the urge to flame, even though the incessant urge to keep fish like these is probably going to be one of the major issues which will cause massive regulation of the hobby.

My one question is: How many of you spent the time before purchasing these fish learning about their care in captivity? Like I expounded in more length in the "Not my fault mentality" thread I think a select few people should try and keep fish like these. However, I don't think everyone should rush out and buy one because a couple of people for as yet unknown reasons managed not to kill theirs yet. When these fish hit 2 years old and are healthy, maybe then we can look at the common elements that have contributed to their survival and perhaps a few more people can try.

For those of you who have one (or two... sheesh) please keep trading notes and doing research in the hope that your fish don't join the 99.99999% that die in captivity.

Josh Fox

P.S. I hope that anyone reading this takes my comments constructively, as I was honestly trying NOT to flame. This is just a rather sensitive subject in the hobby and one that has the highest likelihood of providing ammunition to legislators trying to shut it down completely. "See, they know this fish is impossible to keep and yet here are four people sharing their experiences trying again...."