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SALT WATER
- Vertebrate - Moorish Idol
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Moorish Idol Zanclus cornutus
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Moorish Idol (Zanclus cornutus)
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| Aliases: Kihikihi Fish |
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Family: Zanclidae
Maximum Size: 6.0 inches
Temperament: Generally Passive
Stamina: Sensitive
Activity: Day / Diurnal
Tank Area Preference:
Entire Tank
Captive Breeding: Unreported
Sexual Differences: None Specified
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Reef
Compatibility
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A very impressive looking specimen, but rather hard to acclimate. Most of the time they can not get enough to eat and slowly starve to death. |
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The Moorish Idol (Zanclus cornutus) is sometimes called a Kihikihi Fish. It belongs to the family named Zanclidae. Typically reaching a max size of about 6.0 inches in length, the Moorish Idol is generally passive in nature and sensitive in stamina. It's more active during the daytime and less at night, and will hang out across the entire tank. According to FishDB current data, captive breeding success is unreported and there are no external signs of sexual differences. Zanclus cornutus should not be housed in a tank less than 100 gallons in size. Tank parameters should be maintained with ph level between 8.1 - 8.3, temperature between 77 - 79 degrees fahrenheit, and a salinity between 1.020 - 1.023. Some of the environmental concerns that you should strive to replicate in your home aquaria to promote succesful acclimation include extra swimming area and high water quality.
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| Life span reduced in captivity |    |
| Posted by Uzzbay on March 04 2007 | post rating 90 (9 votes) |
Unfortunately, Moorish Idols do not live long in your typical home aquaria. And there is no clear cut answer why. Of course, a Moorish Idol can be inflicted by and die from common diseases and ailments that effect other tank-mates. However, the Moorish Idol usually expires from something else. Usually, you will see the Idol become increasingly thinner and the stomach begin to concave. The Idol may continue to feed but it appears to slowly starve. There are many theories, but no definitive answers. It appears that the proper diet has yet to be constructed to care for these fish properly. The one thing that is certain is the life span of the Moorish Idol is dramatically decreased in captivity. The reduction being 15-20+ years in the wild, down to 1/2 - 2 years in captivity. This subject is being studied by many and an answer is being sought after, however for now these beauties are best left in the wild.
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salt water
Vertebrates
