LF Moorish Idol

Fishfanatic · #1 11-10-2008, 02:59 AM

Like the title says anyone know where one is for sale in edmonton

kellehar · #2 11-10-2008, 03:08 AM

brian at little oceans had 2 in the other day when I was there

GreenSpottedPuffer · #3 11-10-2008, 03:21 AM

You may already know but...

This is one fish to be really, really sure it is eating. The only eat sponges and a select few inverts in the ocean and even when eating in captivity are usually short lived (bad diet). It's very rare for one to live more than 6 months to a year in aquariums. I have heard of a few living several years but this really one fish that should not be collected from the ocean (thousands die for the dozens that make it more than a few years).

Sorry if you already knew all this

Hope you find one that is eating and healthy!

naesco · #4 11-10-2008, 04:21 AM

Good advice GSP
The survival rate for moorish idol is next to nil.
There is a reason why goo LFS never carry them anymore. They die or emaciate in their tanks before they can evern sell them.
There is a bannerfish which looks the same .

GreenSpottedPuffer · #5 11-10-2008, 04:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by naesco

Good advice GSP
The survival rate for moorish idol is next to nil.
There is a reason why goo LFS never carry them anymore. They die or emaciate in their tanks before they can evern sell them.
There is a bannerfish which looks the same .

Yes I would recommend a Heniochus instead.

Specifically Heniochus acuminatus or Heniochus diphreutes.

Ryan_Lap · #6 11-10-2008, 04:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GreenSpottedPuffer

Yes I would recommend a Heniochus instead.

Specifically Heniochus acuminatus or Heniochus diphreutes.

Diphreutes is considered reef safe. acuminatus is not. good luck telling the difference between the 2 when they are juvies.

Trigger Man · #7 11-10-2008, 04:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GreenSpottedPuffer

Yes I would recommend a Heniochus instead.

Specifically Heniochus acuminatus or Heniochus diphreutes.

I agree with these guys, I too wanted to buy a Moorish Idol, but after doing some research and hearing over and over about the dismal survival rate I went with a few Heniochus and had great success. Yes they look a little different, but when you take into account the different survival rates of the two types it may be something to look into.

GreenSpottedPuffer · #8 11-10-2008, 05:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ryan_Lap

Diphreutes is considered reef safe. acuminatus is not. good luck telling the difference between the 2 when they are juvies.

Yes can be hard but the Heniochus acuminatus has a longer anal fin and a different snout/mouth. H. acuminatus don't really like groups either, so you do have to try to get a good ID. They seem ok in pairs I guess but not large groups like H. Diphreutes.

Fishfanatic · #9 11-10-2008, 11:38 AM

I kept one sucessfully before and he ate everything including nori so I am going to try again.

Edmonton Eskimo · #10 11-10-2008, 03:06 PM

how long did you have it for? Did you sell it or did it perish? I really have a sore spot for the capture of these fish from the ocean to only meet certain doom in our aquaria. I am not saying they are impossible to keep as some experienced reefers have kept them but the death rate is well over 80 percent in captivity. To me that is our human arrogance thinking we own this planet and we can take what we want. And keeping one for a year or two is not success. To have success is to have it live for or very close to it's natural lifespan. I urge everyone reading this to please not purchase moorish idols. You may be able to keep one for a while but by us buying them that means the lfs will keep bringing them in to ultimately meet there death. They are beautiful fish so let's leave them where they belong.