Killer Moorish Idol

[Slumberdragon]

Here's the story and the problem. Purchased two Moorish Idols a year back, since I have often seen other hobbiest suggest pair or group integrations. I have keep Moorish Idols in the past with great success. However, this female has got me baffold and worried. When she was fish introduced she killed her partner. Since then she has been a model citizen until two days ago which is bring her to one year old in her current aquarium. My wife was working out and in the middle of her cardio she watched the Moorish turn and full out ram and physically put her break right through my Raccoon Butterfly's gills clear through to the other side. Then proceeded to try and eat the butterfly. My wife went to get a net and pull the body out as fast as she could and the Idol attacked the net. We believed this was extremely odd for the fish and questioned what had happened to our One Spot Foxface Rabbitfish as we found him dead in the rocks two days prior. Today, when we came home from the store we fouch our 3" Clarkii Clown dead in the same corner of the aquarium as the Foxface. Even as I was/am calling our lfs the Idol Attacked and grabbed hold of my female Green Bird Wrasse tailfin. These attacks all seem random as it is not provocked nor does she seem to be protecting any area in the aquarium. She is currently in aa 125 gallon and was going to be transfered to my 477 gallon, but not with this behavor.

 

[Spit.fire]

sounds like an awesome fish

 

[4FordFamily]

Wow I've never heard of this idol are well known as a "docile" fish largely.

I will say though that mine has some aggressive tankmates and holds his own:

Emperor angel
Queen angel
Passer angel
Rock beauty angel
Blue face angel
Scribbled angel
Flame angel
Potters angel
Achilles tang
Powder blue tang
Yellow belly regal tang
Large banana wrasse
Pink face wrasse

And a couple more docile fish. He holds his own well.

I am sure there are many people with more aggressive fish who would love to have her. Perhaps sell her

 

[melypr1985]

Wow! What a nutty fish. Welcome to R2R by the way!

 

[Humblefish]

Wow, my last MI used to attack/swarm my hand but this is the first time I've heard of one killing another fish.

 

[Slumberdragon]

Yes, I was rather surprised as my wife called me and was freaking out. Since I have seen them nibble other fish into submission or even into corners. But to full on ram and pierce through another fish. The Clarkii was semi aggressive and used to keep some of the tangs in check, so was rather surprised she killed him too. We actually have witness the MI grabbing at the Rabbitfish by their spines and pushing them away.

 

[Mike in CT]

I would not stick my hands in that tank! Lol

 

[4FordFamily]

Looking at my idol today I can't even see how what you describe is possible. To get enough momentum to do this, with such a rounded "beak" seems nearly impossible. Not to mention I feel like it would do just as much or more damage to the idol.

Do you sharpen her nose!?

 

[thebluecatapilla]

Are you sure you have a Moorish Idol and not a Blue Marlin?

 

[Slumberdragon]

I actually wondered about the beak myself. Probably question on my wife more if she had not seen it herself. However, even on the Clarkii, I could see a physical bite mark on the underside of the belly that went from one side clear through the other. The Foxface had no such marks though.

 

[Slumberdragon]

Called the lfs today and they are willing g to take her back. On the fence about it as the Moorish is one of my favorites, but not willing g to lose my other fish over a murdering fish.

 

[4FordFamily]

Called the lfs today and they are willing g to take her back. On the fence about it as the Moorish is one of my favorites, but not willing g to lose my other fish over a murdering fish.

Where are you located?

 

[Slumberdragon]

Michigan's thumb area

 

[4FordFamily]

Michigan's thumb area

If you've had the idol awhile I am sure someone would love to buy it from you for an aggressive tank. I would take it if I didn't already have one and I had more aggressive fish

 

[Slumberdragon]

The wife and I are still going back and forth about removing her since she eats so well and up until the Foxface died, she was completely peaceful. Though the Fox did police the entire tank and the Figi Fox is completely passive.

 

[Pinky88]

I used to have 4 idols together, it works out at first but gradually only 1 left

 

[eatbreakfast]

IME idols are definitely aggressive toward conspecifics, but will without a doubt behave aggressive toward other butterflies. It doesn't surprise me to find a particularly aggressive specimen that attacks laterally compressed fish in general.

 

[ReefMadScientist]

There is always one in the family.