Moorish Idol??

So I love Moorish Idols. Who doesn't. And yes I know all about them. My question is has anyone been crazy enough to keep one? and for how long? because I'm not wondering if I should....but I'm wondering if I should.....

 

Honestly, there are just some species that I believe should be left in the ocean. MI is one. Lawnmower blenny is another. Linkia starfish (I refuse to call them sea stars) are yet another. If the death rate is that high, I wouldn't even chance it. If demand is cut enough, perhaps fewer will be caught and subjected to that which they cannot handle. My 2c.

 

The only MI I know of that has been successfully kept happy and healthy in captivity is the dude we have at the Tennessee Aquarium. He's been in our "nemo" style cylindrical tank in the seahorse exhibits for over 5 years now. I'm not sure how old the exhibit actually is, I just know it's been open before 2004...most likely earlier than that. The tank holds Anthias, O. Clowns, blue tangs/hippo tangs, and other stuff. And one moorish idol.

Considering it takes a state aquarium to keep one of these alive, I don't think any hobbiests at home should. They are really cool fish though.

 

go with a heniochus (sp?) they look similar enough. u can pretend its a MI the average non reefer wouldn't know the difference.

 

pharmr john why do you think that lawnmower blennies should be left in the wild

 

I was wondering the same, their super easy to keep and tons of people have them

 

The 20,000 gallon reef tank at Atlantis Marine World (Riverhead, NY) has two of them in the tank. I've been told they are a few years old. I would not suggest keeping one in any home aquarium under 240 gallons. Their requirements are huge.

 

Their death rate is just as astounding. Many starve after being purchased to solve a problem the tank owner caused. Some convert to fish food, some don't and slowly starve.

 

I used to be downright against any specie that was labeled "impossible", I am now for and against certain species and heres why....
Well, lets start here.... 20 years ago, reefing was not what it is today, heck not even ten years ago. For a long time no one ever expected people to keep tanks absolutely crammed with SPS, they never expected one long term SPS.
Same goes with fish, damsels would be the only thing kept if it wasn't for people risking the fish and money testing the proverbial water.
Its no different than anyother hobby or sport, things continue to evolve and get better, unfortunately with our hobby live animals are involved.
Pablo Tepoot is the most successful as far as morrish idols are concerned but he still says the mortality is upwards to 70%. So you have a guy with years and years of experience who even started New Life Spectrum foods, only getting 30% to live and not even long term always.... looks bleak for others. One day Pablo might unlock the secret and we will all be keeping MI like we keep damsels, the downside is how many is he, let alone everyone else in the whole going to kill before we figure out how to keep them.
I am all for experimenting and trying things but sometimes you need to take a step back and put something on hold until you can get a better grasp of it.
So I do agree people need to try but no offense to any, not anyone who doesn't have years and years of experience or a biology degree.
As far as why people shouldn't keep certain fish and which ones.... man I could talk about that all day.
MI, I say copperbanded Butterflies, I say just about all butterflies but many are easy to keep Klein's for example or raccoons and so on. Problem is many of the "nicer" looking butterflies are obligate corallivores or close to obligate. Do you have a reef tank that you are willing to give up to feed a butterfly?
What about bicolor angels? Rock beauties, most tilefish.... the list is too long to mention.
SO, with many species... unless you are SERIOUSLY dedicated to trying something new, or setting up the tank to accomodate this species leave it at the store, AND tell the owner/manager to stop ordering that fish.

Happy reefing!