Moorish Idol question

[Bob 1000]

Are moorish idols suitable acropora tank inhabitants.. Looking to get one for an all acro tank.. Thanks in advance....

 

[drperetz]

.

from what I know they do better in pairs, and their are picky eaters...

 

[cb747]

Contact PaulB He has keep an idol sucessfully!

 

[pecan2phat]

Fishtown had 8-10 of them for $39.99 each.

 

[Bob 1000]

Thanks fellas, I will definitely try fishtown ..and contact Paul b first... A friend has a big one for sale cheap so I wanted to do my research before I commit to this opportunity that I have always thought about..

 

[masterswimmer]

Moorish Idols

 

[crox99]

Bob

a little while ago I remember a member that put 3 of them in his tank. Do a little search is see if you can find it.:google:

 

[crox99]

http://www.manhattanreefs.com/forum/fish/23251-moorish-idol.html

 

[marrone]

I would be more concerned about keeping them alive then worrying about them each polyps. This fish has a horrible track record and most, if not all, die and that with them eating. So don't caught up because you see them eating, as that doesn't mean they're going to live.

You need to be able to supply it with a large tank, peaceful tank mates with a lot of hiding places. This fish should be left to an expert and even that is pushing it.

 

[jab161]

My friend has had a morish idol for about six months now with great success. I bought one from fish town three weeks ago and he seems to be doing well.
My friend got his to eat fresh clams and musseles, and i have done the same. he picks at the clam/mussel and goes back and forth to the seaweed. so far so good

 

[Bob 1000]

I seem to have success with alot of hard to keep species of tangs... I'm not worried about keeping it alive....Like I said early I need to know if they will eat acros or not???Thanks for the input to all that answered the question..

 

[Paul B]

My friend has had a morish idol for about six months now with great success.

For any fish this doesen't mean much.
As for your question, I doubt they will eat acros.
Paul

 

[Bob 1000]

Thank you finally someone who answers the question asked not one that wasn't asked..Thanks Paul always good to here from you..So much knowledge,but so misunderstood...

 

[masterswimmer]

Thank you finally someone who answers the question asked not one that wasn't asked..

From the link in post #6:

Reef Tank Suitability: Moorish Idols will often pick at LPS corals, and certain soft coral polyps. Although this fish primarily eats coraline algae and sponge in nature, this doesn't mean that it might not pick at other types of sessile invertebrates, or maybe even motile crustaceans.

 

[Bob 1000]

From the link in post #6:

Reef Tank Suitability: Moorish Idols will often pick at LPS corals, and certain soft coral polyps. Although this fish primarily eats coraline algae and sponge in nature, this doesn't mean that it might not pick at other types of sessile invertebrates, or maybe even motile crustaceans.

Sorry,I did read that before been a long time since posted....Masterswimmer props to you too...lol

 

[Paul B]

Moorish Idols are somewhat like copperband butterflies, not in their eating habits but in their personalities. They do eat primarilary sponge as in all of my dives with them thats all that I have ever seen them eat. I never saw them eat coraline algae but just because I never saw it it doesen't mean it does not happen. But their mouth is so weak and their teeth so small that I doubt they could eat much of it.
I personally also have never seen them eat any coral but I have read many times that they do. I suspect that they are eating the algae associated with the coral.

 

[Bob 1000]

Thanks still contimplating purchase....

 

[lfsmarineguy]

What size is the tank you intend to put the idol in Bob? Idols need a lot of room to swim. That streamer on their dorsal is there to reduce drag so you can begin to see how much space they really need. Also, some fish will adapt in captivity and start eating corals. This is a mechanism that often gets triggered by malnutrition. Like Paul said, they eat the coral in order to get the nutrients they need from the symbiotic algae. The coral isn't the target it's food by proxy.

 

[Bob 1000]

The coral isn't the target it's food by proxy.

Wow thanks that a good way to explain it....180 with not much rock in the middle....

 

[lfsmarineguy]

Wouldn't recommend an idol to most people in the first place but definitely not in a 180. For such a difficult fish long term i wouldn't put them in anything under a 300 with lots of rock for them to forage on. They are built for speed and 72" isn't going to allow them to open up. Least in a 300 there would be more for them to pick on food wise.