Moorish Idol

[bhotep]

Probably discussed to death but.... I just saw 3 really nice moorish idols in the LFS. Man they are beautifull and hard to resist at such a good price. Please convince me not to buy one. I'm thinking well if I don't try someone else will. I have read some success stories.

[Roy G. Biv]

If the LFS can show you (SHOW YOU) they eat, then you have a shot. Otherwise they need more attention than a newborn baby to get them to eat.

[bhotep]

They had just received them a day or so ago. I had not asked if I could see them eat, as I was not yet sure whether I should even attempt one. They so far had no fin damage and seemed full bodied and bright in colour.

[Roy G. Biv]

I had one for a while, he was in my reef. When he was done eating all of my zoos, he died. By the way, I do the "If I dont buy it, someone else will" rational as well :)

[Walterwool2]

i would let them stay there for a week or two and see if they are still living. if no one takes them and as pmolan said they show them eating then i would try it but they need very special care. i would test all your parameters to make sure everything is fine and then make a decision on if you think you can house this fish. an lfs of mine had one as well and showed me that the idol was eating mysis so i bought it... everything has been well.. good luck!!

[IslandCrow]

I try to stay away from the "If I don't buy it, someone else will" philosophy as best I can. It can be tough. I always want to "save" the fish. We live in a commercial society, though. The best way to convince a merchant that they shouldn't carry a particular item is when no one buys it. If you buy it, you're just encouraging them.

[bhotep]

IslandCrow, I feel the same way! I love this hobby and the beautiful marine life I have in my livingroom, but I do feel guilty when I think of the thousands of fish that die in the fish stores and in peoples tanks every day so much so that I have considered no longer buying any more fish . I wish that one day we can purchase most of our livestock from commercial breeders.

[Wind Seeker]

I have never kept an Idol. However, there is an excellent article in this months Coral magazine. Good info. States you need 2 in a tank to reduce stress. Hate losing fish as well. I become very attached. I have a very good success rate, but every once in awhile something happens, like a jumper, that can crush my spirits. Selection must be well thought out.....devoid of emotion.

[honda2sk]

contrary to popular belief,

(a) most idols are not finicky eaters. most of them will eat anything and everything you give them. the problem is we are not meeting their nutritional needs with the foods we have available to provide. even though they eat it all, most will still die within a year or two.

(b) more then one in a home aquarium is not a good idea. they will eventually fight and only one will be left.

[miwoodar]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10539117#post10539117 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by IslandCrow
I try to stay away from the "If I don't buy it, someone else will" philosophy as best I can. It can be tough. I always want to "save" the fish. We live in a commercial society, though. The best way to convince a merchant that they shouldn't carry a particular item is when no one buys it. If you buy it, you're just encouraging them.

I agree - many shops don't care if a fish is going to live or die. They are just trying to make a buck.

[AndyB4784]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10541842#post10541842 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by honda2sk
contrary to popular belief,

(a) most idols are not finicky eaters. most of them will eat anything and everything you give them. the problem is we are not meeting their nutritional needs with the foods we have available to provide. even though they eat it all, most will still die within a year or two.

(b) more then one in a home aquarium is not a good idea. they will eventually fight and only one will be left.

Well said for part A.

As for part B, I would say that no Idols should be in the aquarium.

Just let them die in the store. The only way that people are going to stop ordering them is if people stop buying them.

[Bebo77]

even if they start out eating.. things can go bad quickly...

[Der_Iron_Chef]

Don't buy it. Please. Stores will continue to order them if people continue to buy them.

I think the hobby should, in general, make a push for tank-bred specimens only. I hate the methods by which many fish and corals are collected.

[Sheol]

If you have a lot of experience with delicate, difficult fish, go for it. Otherwise, just leave it. Even a week is to short a time to see if they will last. Why buy certain heartbreak??

Matthew

[HDAlien]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10542135#post10542135 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Der_Iron_Chef
Don't buy it. Please. Stores will continue to order them if people continue to buy them.


Agreed.

[bhotep]

Ok, Iv'e decided I won't have this fish in my tank. They are to my eyes though, one of the most beautiful and elegant looking fish out there. Too bad the makers of "Finding Nemo" did not do their homework (that this fish is not a good candidate for an aquarium)I hate to think of all the dead Moorish idols because of it.

[thor32766]

Probably the hardest fish to keep in the hobby. Better left in the ocean.

[nauticac4]

The LFS here had 2 this weekend. If i didn't have coral it would be in my tank. The 2 he has have been there for over 3 months and they are doing great. One of them lives in the large fuge. It took some strength and a Leutenant tang to change my mind.

[reefNchips]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10542542#post10542542 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by bhotep
Ok, Iv'e decided I won't have this fish in my tank. They are to my eyes though, one of the most beautiful and elegant looking fish out there. Too bad the makers of "Finding Nemo" did not do their homework (that this fish is not a good candidate for an aquarium)I hate to think of all the dead Moorish idols because of it.

He was the sickest fish in the tank on the movie.

[ludnix]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10544894#post10544894 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by reefNchips
He was the sickest fish in the tank on the movie.

Also I think the whole underlying tone of that movie was that none of the fish are happy in an aquarium and belong in the ocean.