Moorish Idol qt

[Earl Karl]

For nine years, I have kept a Moorish Idol. It all started as when I was 9 years old. As a foolish child, I fed my tank about 7, 8, 9 or more (who knows, I was a kid) times a day. What seemed like doom for my MI, was actually a blessing. Until I spooked him on accident and he crashed into the rocks. He got an infection and died. But I didn't give up, since I liked the fish. The second one however, lived for a very long time, 9 years under my care. For its first half of its life, its been in a 40 gallon mixed reef with a CBB and a Kuiteri Leopard Wrasse. The second half, in a 90 gallon acro tank with just a snowflake eel. Last year or so, I have gave it to a friend of mine (who has a 700 gallon) since I was going to college. It is almost 11 years now, and I was told it is starting its signature death sequence. It was until then I read that MI were a challenging fish to keep, but I didn't know it was THAT bad.

The store that I work at got in one the other day. I decided, the time to pick one up is now. I knew I was the only one who could keep one.

I have never qted a MI however. I learned about qt few years back, so never did one with Moorish Idol. I did some research, but not much help. I plan to do TTM with this guy and put him in a 40 gallon qt tank in case he has other things.

For TTM, I plan to use two 5 gallon buckets. I don't know if that's too small for TTM but it is what I got now. Was eating like a pig at the store, but not eating now. Maybe because today is the same day I got it.

Is there anything I should know about this fish during qt? Besides basic care ofc, I'm talking like how it handles copper, how long it starts eating usually, and such.

 

[hdsoftail1065]

I have never kept a MI and I'm not sure who has on the #reefsquad but we can find out. :)

 

[Earl Karl]

Update: He's eating red nori and silversides.

 

[Earl Karl]

Ok, I'm not worried about him not eating. Just ate mysis, live blackworms, and bloodworms. Anything about qting him?

 

[ZachR32]

i would not do TTM in 5 gallon buckets on an idol. not enough horizontal swimming space can be quite stressful on these guys

 

[Earl Karl]

Ok, how big should I go for TTM? I could get those storage totes from home depot, so I'm not breaking the bank with this fish. But I'll keep monitoring.

 

[Earl Karl]

What's the minimum size I should do for TTM? I don't have much space either.

 

[Gareth elliott]

I dont know idols well, but they are active fish like butterflies or large angels, i would probably not do less 55g for qt. But i might be over cautious.

Will tag @HotRocks cause i think he keeps them.

 

[Earl Karl]

55g for TTM is crazy lol. However, I am using a 40g breeder (which is technically 50 gallons and more surface area than 55g) for qt after TTM.

 

[Instigate]

55g for TTM is crazy lol. However, I am using a 40g breeder (which is technically 50 gallons and more surface area than 55g) for qt after TTM.

I did TTM on my CBB with a 40 and a 60. Two 40's would have been fine but that's what I already had. When I had him in the 60 I didn't fill it all the way though.

 

[Earl Karl]

I see. Qting is a lot more stressful for this fish lol. I qt tangs in 20 gallons and they do fine. I usually do TTM in 5 gallon buckets or ten gallons if the fish is well sized.

Yeah, I'm gonna at least TTM the MI are 20 gallons totes since it is what I have now, I'll monitor from there on.

 

[ReefClutz]

Moorish Idol’s can be tricky. But absolutely beautiful when successful.

 

[Earl Karl]

Can you fw dip a MI?

 

[4FordFamily]

I recommend copper power for 14 days in conjunction with metroplex dosed every 48. This will cover ich, velvet, brook, uronema, and some infections.

Transfer the fish to a clean QT after day 14.
Then dose prazi or GC 5-7 days apart in observation with no less. This QT should share nothing with the first one.

Use Biospira for bio filter, ammonia alert badge for ammonia checking in copper, copper power for your copper, and a Hanna copper checker for measuring it properly and maintaining it at 1.75. Feed several times per day. Red nori is a great choice.

I wrote an article on idols:
https://www.reef2reef.com/ams/keeping-the-mysterious-moorish-idol.72/

 

[Earl Karl]

Can they handle CP? I have some. The only copper med my store carries is Cupramine, which I heard can be harsh but I have no problems with it so far.

 

[Earl Karl]

I didn't have room or time for large TTM and he was getting stressed in the bucket. I just put him in my 38 gallon qt home depot tote and he's doing much better. Originally I had him in my 40g breeder, but he was beating the crap out of my wrasses (almost killed my choati, which made me move him). He's now with a CBB and doing great.

For now I'm treating with pure, pharma grade praziquantel and metronidazole. Still deciding whether to use Cupramine for these guys or wait for copper power.

Really loves silversides tho, which I did not expect from an MI. He just taste test (sometimes eat) everything else, including red nori, blackworms, fresh mussels, etc. Feed him 10 times a day, or use a smartreefs automatic frozen food feeder if I'm not able to feed him.