Moorish Idol

If you fall under the spell of the beautiful Moorish idol, be aware that they are very difficult to keep in captivity. Few live longer than a year. They are picky eaters and will sometimes refuse all foods, to their own detriment. If you accept the challenge, feed them finely chopped fresh or frozen shrimp, clams, squid, as well as some vegetable matter and vitamin-enriched prepared foods.

The Moorish idol is frequently confused with the butterfly fish and the angelfish. Found in may parts of the world in tropical and subtropical reefs and lagoons, this disc-shaped fish is a popular aquarium fish, perhaps due to its beautiful yellow, black and white vertical bands, and a long dorsal fin, which trails gracefully behind it.

Since they grow to around 7 inches, they require large tanks. You may want to keep just one of these fish, or possibly a pair. Moorish idols mate for life. However, males will often become aggressive with one another.

Because of their difficulty to maintain, you may want to purchase species that look like the Moorish idol, such as the pennant coral fish, butterfly fishes, and the “false” Moorish idol.