Moorish idol

[Rickyb1982]

Does anyone on here keep one ? If so what is the key for long term success ?

 

[4FordFamily]

Yes, I've only had one live two years until he got an eye bacterial infection that spread to both eyes before I treated and he stopped eating by the time it healed. My current idol I've only had a few weeks but it's fattening up. IMO mixed foods, red and green nori but especially red offered daily, and blackworms are key. Angel formula with sponge, too.

Need pristine water, calm tankmates, quick action if something goes awry.

I've only tried twice.

 

[Rickyb1982]

K thanks

 

[kateater]

Does anyone on here keep one ? If so what is the key for long term success ?

Leave them in the Ocean lol.

 

[Rickyb1982]

That's what everyone is saying lol

 

[eatbreakfast]

A calm tank in the beginning is essential. Once they are established they can take care of themselves.

A varied diet and including sponge is important with them.

 

[kateater]

My absolute favorite fish just can pull the trigger because of their diet demands.

 

[Rickyb1982]

Well my tank is not really aggressive but not calm either lol

 

[eatbreakfast]

Leave them in the Ocean lol.

While not a fish for just anyone, I completely disagree. Their needs just need to be accounted for.

 

[Rickyb1982]

I have a 300 gallon deep dimension with a few tangs

 

[kateater]

While not a fish for just anyone, I completely disagree. Their needs just need to be accounted for.

Keeping one alive for 2-4 years is not what I would call successful. I'm sure these fish live a long life span in the wild.

 

[eatbreakfast]

Keeping one alive for 2-4 years is not what I would call successful. I'm sure these fish live a long life span in the wild.

Agreed that 2-4 yrs is not a full lifespan. Just because not everyone can keep them for their full lifespan, doesn't mean that a dedicated hobbyist cannot. Calling for them to be left in the ocean is just not a good strategy. It wasn't that long ago that acros were considered impossible to keep. Hobbyists willing to go the necessary lengths and sharing what contributed to that success is part of the process in making some of the more difficult species to adequately provided for.

 

[Rickyb1982]

I will most likely give one a shot

 

[james lance]

I have had one for the past seven years and live sponges and hatchery diet and a variety of different fresh sea food like squid clams and algae dry and live soaked in Boyd's vitamins and garlic.

 

[eatbreakfast]

I have had one for the past seven years and live sponges and hatchery diet and a variety of different fresh sea food like squid clams and algae dry and live soaked in Boyd's vitamins and garlic.

That's interesting that you mention the hatchery diet. It seems that most of the success stories with moorish idols seem to include some form of pellet regularly added to the diet.

 

[deerhunter06]

I had one for 2 years until I broke down my tank he ate pretty much anything I put in there including SPS.

 

[Francesca]

Does anyone on here keep one ? If so what is the key for long term success ?

I have had one for 6 months and it feeds from my hand. Also so far has not eaten any of my coral .