Anyone successfully keep a Moorish Idol?

[Wael El-Dasher]

I am very interested in the Moorish Idol. My LFS said they rarely get them but if I am interested they'll try. I am worried that it won't survive based on what I read. Anyone here have one that's doing well? At Liveaquaria they're described as a schooling fish, so is it better to buy them like the chromis in a group?

cheers

Wael

 

[Hiroshi]

ye i have read things aswell about the moorish idol :/ it a beautiful fish..it cost around £ 70 from aqauticstoyourdoor.co.uk but im not gonna risk it.

 

[Fishguy2727]

I wouldn't try it. The only ones I have heard of lasting long at all were the ones that the owner of New Life Spectrum kept on his food exclusively. Even then I think it is too risky, no point raising demand for fish with a 99.99% failure rate in captivity. They do not deserve that.

 

[melosu58]

They do not have a good track record. As you can see they are for expert only and that usually means folks like public aquariums that have experts on their staff.

Saltwater Aquarium Fish for Marine Aquariums: Moorish Idol

 

[Emi929]

It's the smart old guy from finding Nemo

 

[BallinCrew10]

Everything I've ever read says that they will most certainly die in your tank. They are extremely difficult to keep and are for experts only. If you want a fish that looks similar with a much better record or being kept successfully look into the heniochus butterfly fish.

 

[tornadonick]

If you live by the ocean than no. He will trick you into putting him in a bag where he will roll himself to the ocean to escape!

 

[Sqasnatch]

Lol. Very funny. You can get a banner fish instead look similar and much better chance at surviving. Just make sure you get the right one, there are 2 types I believe

 

[Innovator]

There are 10 valid species of Heniochus (Bannerfish/Pennantfish) and all possible corralivores.

 

[Sqasnatch]

Cause knowledge is power. Lol