Moorish Idol - (No Online Purchases)

Moorish Idol 

The Moorish Idol (Zanclus cornutus) is one of the most iconic and visually stunning fish in the ocean, instantly recognisable by its striking colouration and unique fin structure.

Species Profile & Appearance
Scientific Name: Zanclus cornutus

Family: Zanclidae (It is the sole living species in its family, making it unique and not a butterflyfish, though often mistaken for one).

Appearance:

Body:Strongly compressed and disc-like.

Colouration: Bold, contrasting vertical bands of black, white, and yellow.

Distinctive Feature:A dramatically long, flowing white extension (filament) on its dorsal fin, known as the "philomantis extension," which shortens as the fish ages.

Snout: A long, tubular snout with a small mouth, used for grazing on the reef.

Habitat & Diet
Distribution:Extremely wide, found throughout the Indo-Pacific region, from East Africa to Hawaii and the Eastern Pacific. This wide range is due to their unusually long pelagic (open ocean) larval stage.

Habitat: They inhabit a variety of reef environments, including flat coral reefs, lagoons, and rocky seaward reefs, from shallow depths down to 180 meters (nearly 600 feet).

Diet in the Wild: They are omnivores but feed primarily on sponges (making up about 70% of their diet), tunicates, algae, and coral polyps. They use their long snout to scrape food from reef crevices. They are not considered reef-safe in an aquarium because they will graze on corals and other sessile invertebrates.

Aquarium Keeping: A Significant Challenge
The Moorish Idol is notoriously difficult to keep in a home aquarium, and many experienced aquarists advise against it.

Feeding Issues: This is the most common reason for failure. Their specialised diet of sponges is nearly impossible to replicate consistently in captivity. While some specimens may eventually accept commercial foods (like frozen meaty foods, flakes, or nori), many simply refuse to eat and slowly starve. A specimen that is not a proven eater in the store should not be purchased.

Size and Space:They need a very large tank (150+ gallons minimum) with plenty of open swimming space, as they are active swimmers.

Delicacy: They are highly susceptible to stress and parasitic infections (like Ich and Marine Velvet), especially when not eating well or if water quality is poor.

Tank Conditions: They require sparkling clean, well-oxygenated water, often with a good flow rate, mimicking a thriving natural reef.

• Origin:
• Adult Size:
• Social: Peaceful
• Care: Moderate