Get this moorish idol fatty!

[BRYCE_NI]

Hi guys, I need some help here! Got this moorish 2 weeks ago and he was eating frozen food and seaweeds, but this guy is still so skinny, is it because of the possible internal parasites? I am adding metroplex and focus to frozen food and started to do fresh water dip today, any suggestions on how to get this guy fatty again? Big thanks for any advice!

 

[Doctorgori]

The area between and above the eyes is the key…
The belly is important but thats indicative of more recent feeding…past fat storage is what you are looking for

 

[BRYCE_NI]

The area between and above the eyes is the key…
The belly is important but thats indicative of more recent feeding…past fat storage is what you are looking for

Thanks for the reply! I just checked the area between and above his eyes, doesn't look good either, do you have any idea what the possible reason and corresponding suggestions could be? Thanks again!

 

[Doctorgori]

If the fish is eating then thats a great sign…
If the fish is eating well and not fattening up, then thats a really bad sign…

IME Idols have a similar diet to tangs but you might get away with blackworms for a short while to stimulate the appetite while getting a lil weight on…

I wouldn’t take the blackworm thing too far and mix in some veggies like nori sheets

 

[BRYCE_NI]

If the fish is eating then thats a great sign…
If the fish is eating well and not fattening up, then thats a really bad sign…

IME Idols have a similar diet to tangs but you might get away with blackworms for a short while to stimulate the appetite while getting a lil weight on…

I wouldn’t take the blackworm thing too far and mix in some veggies like nori sheets

understood, he is eating veggies as well, but still skinny, so I just want to figure out what happened and how to deal with it, thanks!

 

[LAReefer4Life]

feeding minimum 4 x per day is important for these fish as they graze constantly in the wild

 

[Viking_Reefing]

feeding minimum 4 x per day is important for these fish as they graze constantly in the wild

Totally agree with that statement. I’ve kept several and I’ve always aimed for 6 feedings a day. They burn through food like nothing else. Also, make sure it has access to algae all day.

 

[dthom]

Not sure about doing the dips if you are not seeing signs of external parasites. Would just be adding stress to the fish.

 

[radiata]

Try Masstick Fish Food (https://www.bulkreefsupply.com/masstick-fish-food-easy-reefs.html?qty=1). Mash it up and stick it onto rocks and even your aquarium glass. Your Idol should go through several portions a day.