Attention: Moorish Idol owners

<div class="gc_ifarem_title">Ray - YouTube</div>

Since this thread has turned more towards the rays...

This is our most recent addition. She is the largest of the three and we love her spots. Eventually, I want to try my hand at captive bred Cortez rays.
 
Ripped Tide;778101 wrote: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H4Y2syi2Qq4">Moorish idol - YouTube</a>


Thanks for the advice! I'll continue to offer him a variety. I imagine that he will come around and accept more foods.

I'll send you a pm about where I got him.[/QUOTE]

First of all, you have a GREAT looking tank! It's awesome! I love the rays. I have always wanted one, but don't know much about them. Do they eat small fish? I have a 265 fish only tank. It would be so cool if I could put a ray in! Could you please just let me know the basics of this animal? Thanks!
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Sorry to have side tracked the thread toward the rays but I couldn't resist. I don't think I would try it in this tank but there may be a day when I can get a second tank established and maybe think about it at that time.
 
Rays typically need a LARGE footprint of a tank. Volume is typically unimportant in light of horizontal swimming space. That includes absence of rock structures and just open soft sand for the most part. Nearly all aquariums we keep are unsuitable for these animals.
 
They are fun creature to watch and feed. Yes, they are not ideal for the home aquarium, but I don't feel like getting into that discussion in this thread. After all, what place does any animal deserve in an aquarium.

You normally want to get Cortez rays in the spring or summer. They are in water that is warmer during that time and acclimate to aquarium conditions better. I feed mine twice a day, with a LOT of PE mysis and silver sides. They are really fun to feed and take the food from your hand. They need a large open swimming space with minimal rock. My tank has too much rock for the rays, but they don't seem to mind. You would want sugar fine sand so that they can bury and sleep at night. They are foragers and constantly turn the sand looking for food.

The adult size is about the size of a small dinner plate. The disk can reach about 8" in diameter, and about 12-14" in total length.

A large round aquarium would be best for rays.
 
Ripped Tide;778276 wrote: They are fun creature to watch and feed. Yes, they are not ideal for the home aquarium, but I don't feel like getting into that discussion in this thread. After all, what place does any animal deserve in an aquarium.

You normally want to get Cortez rays in the spring or summer. They are in water that is warmer during that time and acclimate to aquarium conditions better. I feed mine twice a day, with a LOT of PE mysis and silver sides. They are really fun to feed and take the food from your hand. They need a large open swimming space with minimal rock. My tank has too much rock for the rays, but they don't seem to mind. You would want sugar fine sand so that they can bury and sleep at night. They are foragers and constantly turn the sand looking for food.

The adult size is about the size of a small dinner plate. The disk can reach about 8" in diameter, and about 12-14" in total length.

A large round aquarium would be best for rays.
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Yeah, I didn't mean to imply anything about the appropriateness of them in captivity- just to assure that people know the needs of them if they are going to keep them.

Sadly, i have seen so many ray dies because people put them in aquariums with live rock for a reef. Im sure you have a dliligent plan of action for them. I just hope everyone else realizes the lengths you'll need to go to for them.
 
I was pretty scared about adding them in a tank with rock. I tried to do my best to make sure that there were no sharp edges exposing to the rays.

In the next 6 months or so, I'll be setting up something really cool for them... More details to come. ;)
 
Jeremy, on topic of the origional post, i am assuming it's safe To say that you have cared for idols before.

What foods were they most likely to acclimate to? Would the nori strips be enough to sustain?

I've read that they naturally feed on sponge and algae.
 
Ripped Tide;778289 wrote: Jeremy, on topic of the origional post, i am assuming it's safe To say that you have cared for idols before.

What foods were they most likely to acclimate to? Would the nori strips be enough to sustain?

I've read that they naturally feed on sponge and algae.
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I have. Nori wont sustain them. Even if they eat it like gangbusters. From my understanding, they do eat sponges, tunicates, other sessile inverts, etc. Impossible to realistically provide. There are some foods I have had great success with though. Two types of pellets and frozens in particular.
 
jmaneyapanda;778293 wrote: I have. Nori wont sustain them. Even if they eat it like gangbusters. From my understanding, they do eat sponges, tunicates, other sessile inverts, etc. Impossible to realistically provide. There are some foods I have had great success with though. Two types of pellets and frozens in particular.
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I'll stop by the shop tomorrow, will you be there?

Edit: I'll probably be more interested in the pellets. Frozen foods don't hold up well on the hour drive home.
 
Ripped Tide;778294 wrote: I'll stop by the shop tomorrow, will you be there?

Edit: I'll probably be more interested in the pellets. Frozen foods don't hold up well on the hour drive home.
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Pack a cooler with a chunk of dry ice.....
 
Jeremy hit the nail on the head!

I stopped by yesterday to chit chat, bs, and pick up a few things(one of which was the pellets he suggested).

Last night the idol didn't seem interested, but this morning and this evening he took right to them! Thanks for the suggestion, Jeremy!

The idol is doing great and eating like a pig!
 
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