My new Moorish Idol!

[Italeri]

Hey guys, just decided to take a chance and get a Moorish Idol. They are one of my favorite fish! Tomorrow will be 1 week that he has been in the tank. I think I must have drew the lucky straw with this guy, because he ate mysis the first day in the tank. He now readily eats frozen Brine and Mysis without any additives added, also nips at the green Nori I put in from time to time. He didnt have a streamer when I got him, but he now has a streamer that is about 1.5 inches in 1 WEEK! I am not sure if that is a fast growth rate or not, but I was sure surprised! I'll definitely keep you guys updated on this Beauty :xd::xd:

 

[Reefing Madness]

 

[Italeri]

Haha! I am definitely happy! do you have any advice or anything? im definitely open to any suggestions to keep him in tip top shape!

 

[jimmybling31]

I love it. Good luck. That's not an easy fish to keep by any means.

 

[Reefing Madness]

No unfortunately I have not owned this fish, yet. So I can't offer any help in care. Lovely fish!!

 

[Italeri]

Thanks! I know its hard. I would say its probably THE MOST difficult fish to keep, but I just had to try at least once! Thats why im so happy its going so well!

 

[jedimasterben]

There's a massive thread on them at RC. I soaked in every word, and I will give you the highlights.

Since it is eating, it will eat anything you put in front of it. Get some NLS Finicky Fish formula.

They love to swim - more than most any surgeonfish, so they appreciate very long tanks.

They grow and lose their streamers often for a few years, then eventually stop growing them. Doesn't seem to be related to anything water quality, no one really knows.

Keep a close on the types of corals they prefer. Contrary to what some will say, all moorish idols eat corals. They will seem like they go through phases as time goes on, sometimes preferring SPS, then LPS, etc. they seem to especially like acans, so I would keep them in a separate tank.

And as long as it is eating, it is a good start. Unfortunately these still have a very high mortality rate with seemingly no cause of death, but there are several cases of them living in captivity for 8 years or more.

 

[MichiganMike28]

How is this fish doing now?

 

[thegrilledcheesus]

Mypersonal theory with moorish idols is that they might actually need to chew on corals to be healthy, I could be wrong, but it seems plausible right now