Zanclus
From Microcosm Aquarium Explorer
Zanclus cornutus, the Moorish Idol. Scott W. Michael
Family: Zanclidae
Species in Genus Zanclus:
MOORISH IDOL
The exquisite Moorish Idol (Zanclus cornutus) will either refuse to eat or not take food with gusto in captivity (its diet in the wild consists of coralline algae and sponges).
If you do decide to keep one, attempt to feed it a mixed diet that includes finely chopped table shrimp, squid, mysid shrimp, vitamin-enriched live brine shrimp, as well as vegetable matter. Frozen foods that contain the blue-green algae Spirulina are a good staple if you can get your Moorish Idol to eat them. Feed several times a day. Individuals that are reluctant to feed may require live rock with rich coralline algae and sponge growth on which to survive until they acclimate to aquarium foods.
They do best on their own, often behaving aggressively toward each other. Provide plenty of swimming space as well as some good holes into which they can dive when threatened.
The adult gets up to 6.2 inches (16 cm) in length and will need to be kept in a reef tank of at least 100 gallons (380 L) in size. Young Zanclus cornutus settle out of the plankton at a large size—up to 3.1 inches (8 cm) in length.
| Family | Zanclidae + |
| Image credit | SWM + |
| Reference | A PocketExpert Guide to Reef Aquarium Fishes + |
| Text credit | SWM + |