Moorish Idol (Zanclus canescens)

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Moorish Idol

Moorishidol.jpg
Moorish Idol

Zanclus canescens

473 Litres (125 US G.)

17.8-22.9cm (7-9 ")

pH

8.1 - 8.4

25.6-26.7°C (78 -80 °F)

8-12 °d

1:1 M:F

Omnivore
Live Foods

1-5 years

Family

Zanclidae





Additional names

Moorish Idol, Gill (Finding Nemo)

Additional scientific names

Chaetodon cornutus, Chaetodon canescens, Zanclus canescens, Zanclus cornutus


Origin

Sexing

Not easy to visually sex.

Tank compatibility

Diet

Notoriously hard to keep alive in captivity due it being an extremely fussy eater. Needs a matured marine tank with plenty of algae on live rock to graze on.

Feeding regime

Environment Specifics

Behaviour

Identification

There are several other marine fish, specifically Butterflyfish, that look remarkable similar to the Moorish Idol, this includes the Heniochus acuminatus. The Idol is recognised by being disc-like and compressed in shape with small snout, much like the Zebrasoma flavescens. The mouth has a v-shaped yellow marking bordered by black on either side. It's body is coloured with two thick bold vertical black bars with a white/yellow base colour, the caudal fin is also black and edged with blue. All the fins on this fish are relatively small. Except for the dorsal fin, where 6 or 7 spines are elongated creating a crest, which gives the fish it's name, "Zanclus cornutus" means "crowned scythe".

Pictures

External links