Moorish idol - size advice needed

[Dave-T]

I've decided to try my luck with a moorish idol. I have a 240 gallon tank with a lot of sponge growing in it. I'm thinking I could turn that into a positive by getting an idol to help control the sponge growth, and in turn it would get a proper diet and prevent the "death from constipation" that plagues this species in our tanks.

But I'm not sure what size to get. I have several large tangs, 5-6 inches (powder blue, orange shoulder, gem, and yellow). Would it be better to get a smaller, or a larger, idol to integrate into the tang population? A larger one might be healthier, and more likely to hold its own against the tangs. But maybe a smaller one would not be considered as much of a threat.

I do feed plenty of nori. And I plan on using the mirror trick when I introduce the idol - this has worked well for me in the past when I introduce fish (the powder blue does not take well to new fish).

 

[littlefoxx]

@vetteguy53081

 

[Miami Reef]

The smaller, the better.

 

[vetteguy53081]

I've decided to try my luck with a moorish idol. I have a 240 gallon tank with a lot of sponge growing in it. I'm thinking I could turn that into a positive by getting an idol to help control the sponge growth, and in turn it would get a proper diet and prevent the "death from constipation" that plagues this species in our tanks.

But I'm not sure what size to get. I have several large tangs, 5-6 inches (powder blue, orange shoulder, gem, and yellow). Would it be better to get a smaller, or a larger, idol to integrate into the tang population? A larger one might be healthier, and more likely to hold its own against the tangs. But maybe a smaller one would not be considered as much of a threat.

I do feed plenty of nori. And I plan on using the mirror trick when I introduce the idol - this has worked well for me in the past when I introduce fish (the powder blue does not take well to new fish).

These fish have arrived much more hardier than years ago and I recommend quarantining upon arrival with coppersafe and then PraziPro. I would get one of at least 4" due to the yellow already present. The only fish ive seen annoy them as new additions are yellow tangs, some angels such as Majestic and occasionally a rabbit fish

 

[Dave-T]

Thanks. It will be pre-quarantined, Dr Reef.

 

[vetteguy53081]

Thanks. It will be pre-quarantined, Dr Reef.

A word of advice as We are seeing several cases of issues, not fault of Dr. Reef - Assume with shipping-temperature changes and waste production stress in the bag, the fish has something and do your own quarantine, even 14-21 days. There is Nothing worse that popping your purchase into the display to find all occupants have picked up something. It's worth it.

 

[Jasonak]

A word of advice as We are seeing several cases of issues, not fault of Dr. Reef - Assume with shipping-temperature changes and waste production stress in the bag, the fish has something and do your own quarantine, even 14-21 days. There is Nothing worse that popping your purchase into the display to find all occupants have picked up something. It's worth it.

What do you mean by issues ?

 

[vetteguy53081]

What do you mean by issues ?

Some fish in general with ich, or other requiring treatment, not the fault of shipper but rather from transport. Fish will produce waste in the bag, go through temperature changes and stress and disease is on us, not the fish. Its best to treat a single fish on your own rather than to face quarantining every occupant due to an outbreak of some sort

 

[Jasonak]

Thats too bad ive had great luck with him. My moorish idols were super healthy.

 

[mpatterson42]

A word of advice as We are seeing several cases of issues, not fault of Dr. Reef - Assume with shipping-temperature changes and waste production stress in the bag, the fish has something and do your own quarantine, even 14-21 days. There is Nothing worse that popping your purchase into the display to find all occupants have picked up something. It's worth it.

Do you suggest just an observation quarantine or treating with medication as well?

 

[vetteguy53081]

Do you suggest just an observation quarantine or treating with medication as well?

Treat. Observation wastes valuable time if a parasite or other issue is present.

 

[fishguy777]

I've decided to try my luck with a moorish idol. I have a 240 gallon tank with a lot of sponge growing in it. I'm thinking I could turn that into a positive by getting an idol to help control the sponge growth, and in turn it would get a proper diet and prevent the "death from constipation" that plagues this species in our tanks.

But I'm not sure what size to get. I have several large tangs, 5-6 inches (powder blue, orange shoulder, gem, and yellow). Would it be better to get a smaller, or a larger, idol to integrate into the tang population? A larger one might be healthier, and more likely to hold its own against the tangs. But maybe a smaller one would not be considered as much of a threat.

I do feed plenty of nori. And I plan on using the mirror trick when I introduce the idol - this has worked well for me in the past when I introduce fish (the powder blue does not take well to new fish).

So I was in a very similar situation to you. 1 month ago I picked up a 4” moorish idol for my 240, it already had 15 other fish in it, 7 being tangs. If you’re located in the U.S, I really recommend NYaquatics, in Yonkers NY. They ship across the country.


It is very important to get them to be aggressive feeders while in qt/observation. Or else they won’t survive with aggressive established fish. I ended up getting the smaller size, because it is easier to get them adapted to captivity. Also, I don’t think just the mirror trick will work for you, I had to remove all the ******* tangs, and a grouper. Completely re do the rocks, and then 2 weeks later add them back

 

[Michael E Hedges]

I've decided to try my luck with a moorish idol. I have a 240 gallon tank with a lot of sponge growing in it. I'm thinking I could turn that into a positive by getting an idol to help control the sponge growth, and in turn it would get a proper diet and prevent the "death from constipation" that plagues this species in our tanks.

But I'm not sure what size to get. I have several large tangs, 5-6 inches (powder blue, orange shoulder, gem, and yellow). Would it be better to get a smaller, or a larger, idol to integrate into the tang population? A larger one might be healthier, and more likely to hold its own against the tangs. But maybe a smaller one would not be considered as much of a threat.

I do feed plenty of nori. And I plan on using the mirror trick when I introduce the idol - this has worked well for me in the past when I introduce fish (the powder blue does not take well to new fish).

I lived in Hawaii for 16 years. LFS sold mostly 6 inch head to toe for $19 back then from a fisherman 5 gal bucket. Hard to keep alive. But you seem to have the right stuff. Live brine shrimp should get you off to a good start. They graze in loose groups near the shoreline live rocks in very calm water, so maybe they need active bottled live phytoplankton, zoo plankton as well to survive. They don't ship well, use a reputable dealer and get that live arrival extended 14 day guarantee for the extra 20 bucks if required. Reef beauties online might have some healthy ones. But follow the DOA claims requirements to the "T" within 2 hours of recpt... paper towel doa pics a must. And get quick credit code..Best of luck! 5-0 Mike Hawaiian Knights Saga.

 

[areefer01]

Treat. Observation wastes valuable time if a parasite or other issue is present.

Seems odd that one pays to have a animal quarantined and you have to do it again upon arrival.

 

[vetteguy53081]

Seems odd that one pays to have a animal quarantined and you have to do it again upon arrival.

Its sad yes. In many cases, we are seeing fish quarantined at 1.5 coppersafe in which is a level it has not truly taken effect and one week of praziPro

 

[Dave-T]

Update on this. I have had my idol for almost 2 months, and he is doing well. Initially, my powder blue would not leave him alone, and he stuck to an upper back corner of the tank. But now the aggression has died down, and he is exploring the whole tank. He is eating well. He has some fin damage from battles with my tang, but I expect they will grow back in time. I'm not sure he is eating any of the sponge in my tank, but he does chow down on the red sea veggies that I feed my herbivores. Hopefully that will keep death by constipation at bay.

 

[chthao]

update?

 

[Dave-T]

Idol is doing great! The harassment from my PBT lasted about 6 months, but has now died down. The idol seems to have eliminated all my invasive sponge, hopefully he still gets some from picking at the rocks. I also feed him some once in a while from my frag tank.