First off, I know that they are exceptionally hard to keep alive in our tanks. I seen a pair (if not, they didn't leave each others side at Warehouse aquarium yesterday) and instantly fell in love. I really would love to design my tank around a pair if possible. Somebody told me that they are not reef safe. Anybody have first hand experience with them?
Anybody here have a Moorish idol?
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Definitely NOT reef safe. They are awesome to look at though. I saw a couple at Nemo's.
Beautiful fish! God id love to have one.
I sure hope I can pick one up like that when the time comes that my tank is ready.
I agree. But they are sold in stores so something is going to end up happening to them. I hope I can enjoy one for a while.
Kind of sounds selfish huh?
If people would quit buying them for their poor mortality rate eventually we would quit collecting them and leave them in the oceans..
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Actually Moorish Idols arent super hard to keep. Buying a good specimen is the key. Buy a fiesty one (a bully). Make sure its eating at the LFS frozen and prepared dried foods. QT for sure.
They are extremely active fish and need to be feed a lot (Think Anthias). Large tank also.
I have successfully kept a single for a long time. Never introduce a second unless during the initial QT. They can easily stress themselves to death. Seen that, will never do that again.
Its all about the quality of the import. Todays imported Moorish Idols are way stronger then 5 years ago. Obviously caught better and certainly handled better.
Creations Reef has some of the best i've ever seen.
They are extremely active fish and need to be feed a lot (Think Anthias). Large tank also.
I have successfully kept a single for a long time. Never introduce a second unless during the initial QT. They can easily stress themselves to death. Seen that, will never do that again.
Its all about the quality of the import. Todays imported Moorish Idols are way stronger then 5 years ago. Obviously caught better and certainly handled better.
Creations Reef has some of the best i've ever seen.
Back in the 80's, Moorish Idols were all the rage...... Surprised there's any left after the hub-bub over them back then. The price they commanded was outragous, a couple of hundred bucks if I remember correctly, probably the only reason EVERYONE didn't have one.
The debate about leaving delicate species in the ocean is a interesting one!
When I got back in the hobby this time, I decided I wouldn't purchase anything that was not tank bred, or tank raised. I figure over the past 20 years, I've done my share of taking from the ocean, as that was your only option back in those days.
I remember the days when a few sprigs of limp Xenia and a feather duster or two constituted a successful reef tank. Flash back 20 years and if we just left everything in the ocean that didn't do well, then none of us would be in the reefing hobby right now. <u>I HAVE A FIRM BELIEF IN ECOLOGY</u>, and will not knowingly purchase a wild caught fish again, but for a reefer to make a broad a statement such as "leave delicate species in the ocean" is to be somewhat hypocritical, as we all stand on the shoulders of hobbist before us who advanced us to where we are now........ (and the dead fish, we all stand on a big huge pile of dead fish, Let's not forget).
I think we can moderate better what is taken from the ocean by gaining a better understanding of the animal's needs. Advanced fish need an advanced aquarist with a proper system to care for it.
In National Geographic</em> , I once saw pics of Phillippinos eating these beautiful reef fish, and thought "I could enjoy that fish in my tank for years, but as a meal, it wont last them a day." (If they used it in some asian dish, they'll just big hungry again an hour later).
The debate about leaving delicate species in the ocean is a interesting one!
When I got back in the hobby this time, I decided I wouldn't purchase anything that was not tank bred, or tank raised. I figure over the past 20 years, I've done my share of taking from the ocean, as that was your only option back in those days.
I remember the days when a few sprigs of limp Xenia and a feather duster or two constituted a successful reef tank. Flash back 20 years and if we just left everything in the ocean that didn't do well, then none of us would be in the reefing hobby right now. <u>I HAVE A FIRM BELIEF IN ECOLOGY</u>, and will not knowingly purchase a wild caught fish again, but for a reefer to make a broad a statement such as "leave delicate species in the ocean" is to be somewhat hypocritical, as we all stand on the shoulders of hobbist before us who advanced us to where we are now........ (and the dead fish, we all stand on a big huge pile of dead fish, Let's not forget).
I think we can moderate better what is taken from the ocean by gaining a better understanding of the animal's needs. Advanced fish need an advanced aquarist with a proper system to care for it.
In National Geographic</em> , I once saw pics of Phillippinos eating these beautiful reef fish, and thought "I could enjoy that fish in my tank for years, but as a meal, it wont last them a day." (If they used it in some asian dish, they'll just big hungry again an hour later).
THe majority of fish we keep as hobbiest are decently hardy as fish go and their habits are well known.. The problem with MI's is their diet isnt well known and very very rarely replicated in the home..
Good point Dakota. My belief isn't about all wildlife, but until more is known about how to successfully keep them I'd rather see them in the hands of advanced hobbyists rather than available on every wholesaler's list. Selling fish that have a huge chance of dying early bothers me a little bit. That's the only reason I haven't considered one.
Not saying anybody should step in and govern it, mind you, just my personal feelings. I hope that one day I reach a point where I could ethically consider one.
Not saying anybody should step in and govern it, mind you, just my personal feelings. I hope that one day I reach a point where I could ethically consider one.
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Here's another one I see getting moved to rants...
But I must speak my mind:
I completely agree with Dakota. DrN, what incentive would there be to learn more about their diet and habitat if people didn't have an interest in them? Also, who would fund the research? I am absolutely against taking endangered or near-endangered animals, but as Dakota said, we stand on the shoulders of many hobbyists before us, and on a very large pile of dead fish. That doesn't make me ambivalent about all those fish that have been lost. It still saddens me greatly. But there can be no advancement in the hobby if we don't strive for it.
That being said, again, no endangered or near-endangered fish should be taken from the ocean. These should be left to conservationists to increase their numbers. Also, a person trying to buy a fish such as a Moorish Idol should under go many questions to prove they are worthy of keeping and maintaining such a delicate creature.
But I must speak my mind:
I completely agree with Dakota. DrN, what incentive would there be to learn more about their diet and habitat if people didn't have an interest in them? Also, who would fund the research? I am absolutely against taking endangered or near-endangered animals, but as Dakota said, we stand on the shoulders of many hobbyists before us, and on a very large pile of dead fish. That doesn't make me ambivalent about all those fish that have been lost. It still saddens me greatly. But there can be no advancement in the hobby if we don't strive for it.
That being said, again, no endangered or near-endangered fish should be taken from the ocean. These should be left to conservationists to increase their numbers. Also, a person trying to buy a fish such as a Moorish Idol should under go many questions to prove they are worthy of keeping and maintaining such a delicate creature.
Theres the problem.. You cant make someone take a test before you grant them permission to buy a fish.. I dont know many stores that would even question a person buying one.. and if so whats to stop the person from going down the road and obtaining one?
Your are correct about the advancement issue.. But I think that best left for people with a better working knowledge when it comes to specific issues with such delicate animals..
Dont get me wrong.. I don't look down on people that buy them.. Its not my tank nor my money and all of us are big enough to make our own decisions..
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I do agree with you there, somewhat. There used to be a store down in Buckhead that denied me a purchase for lack of knowledge when I first started in the hobby, but that's the only place that asked enough questions, and now their out of business...
And theres the main reason.. Did they go out of business for being responsible? I have no idea..
Most (not all) are in it for the main reason people go into any type of business.. $$$$$
I have been in enough of stores around here to know which ones have no issues selling something on false pretenses...
I have been in a store recently that told a customer that lionfish were not aggressive at all.... Enough for me not to patronize that store again.. I have also been in plenty of stores that ask many questions and will turn away people that dont have the right conditions for a specific animal..
I see all sides of the argument and understand both sides.. I wont force my side on others or write them off... The only way to learn is to hear other sides so you can get the full picture..
Thank you everybody for you advice. I've been doing non stop research on them and it appears quiet a few people have been able to get them that already eating frozen foods. I believe, if I decide to indeed buy one, ill be picking up one that is currently doing so or in a current members tank.
Hopefully this thread will NOT be moved, I see nothing wrong with it.
Hopefully this thread will NOT be moved, I see nothing wrong with it.
