Moorish Idol??

The LFS here had one last week. A customer brought it in and the owner reluctantly took it in figuring it would die one way or another. I don't think he gave much credit for it. I guess it's only the second one he's sold in 4-5 years of operation and doesn't order them, just accepts them rather than see the owner kill them. It was eating prepared food (rotifers I think?) and looked very healthy. The previous owner had it for quite a while, (months, not years) but had to get rid of it for some reason I didn't hear.

I think one key to keeping a MI would be a steady supply of proper food, i.e. sponges. You could keep it in a 90+gal DT but you would have to devote, I would guess, several hundred gallons of tanks to propagating sponges and moving them into the tank.

There's also an issue I don't see touched upon very often and that is what fish do when they sleep. Some take to the reefs, others take to the surface in open waters, some need a current, some wedge into rocks to avoid being moved.... I think a better understanding of the nocturnal habits of MI might be another key. If they do need open deep water, or a strong current that's not something most tanks can provide. The fact that they feed on sponges would suggest the possibility of further symbiotic living. Do they "nest" inside large barrel sponges? Do they somehow latch on to smaller sponges? to keep from being swept away?

All this is said with no experience, just thinking like I do.... constantly.

-Doug

 

.......guys its easy, just get a heniochus and be HAPPY lol, they look similar enough, there's no point in killing the MI's for no reason.

 

my lawnmower blenny just died but he had plenty of food he sadly he disapeared not quite sure what did it

 

I agree... I was thinking about that but it's just that distinct yellow and black marking on their nose/snout that I love with the Moorish Idol. I like that the Moorish Idol has more of an elegant looks as compared to the sharp features of the heniochus.

 

Joe, I have several years of experience, and a Minor in Biology, which was my major at one point.

At some point I will try to keep a MI just because they are my favorite fish. But I won't ask you to order it for me, and I won't buy it if it will not eat in store.

Maybe folks just need to try to feed them a nice aged ribeye and a side orf rosemary mini red taters on the side?

LOL