moorish idol

[Charles]

Hi, I am a beginner in this hobby. Is it possible to have moorish idol in a reef tank? And is it true that moorish idol will not last long in a tank?

[Loverotties]

Welcome to TRT and yes they will not last long in captivity!

[Twitterbait]

Welcome. Moorish Idols are among the most difficult to keep. not reccomended

[Charles]

Thanks for both your advice. I am really fascinated with moorish Idol and would like to have one but I think there are some things that we can't have no matter how much we like it. So just have to let mother nature keep moorish idol for us.

[Superman]

Great attitude, that attitude will gain you a lot of respect from other hobbyists, have fun in the hobby.

[Doug1]

Originally Posted by Charles

Thanks for both your advice. I am really fascinated with moorish Idol and would like to have one but I think there are some things that we can't have no matter how much we like it. So just have to let mother nature keep moorish idol for us.

To put a fine point on it, NO MOORISH IDOLS, they are specific feeders and will wreak havoc on an SPS tank then die for lack of food
On a bright note there are several of the Heniochus butterflies that have the MI look and are reasonably reef safe, or at best will eat commercial food and not die on you

[Cosine]

just to add on what doug said there are two that look very similar
sorry can't name them scientifically... but if you do consider these research it because I believe one is reef safe and one is not...
Hope somebody can add to this with scientific names of these two I'm thinking of!

[craigGP]

Heniochus diphreutes is the reef safe one, known as the schooling Heniochus. aviod H. acuminatus (aka longfin, and looks very similar) and other Heniochus which are known to be destructive in reef tanks.

info from Michael's Marine Fishes

[pnkpanther]

wimple and banner fish look similar

[Twitterbait]

Wimple fish is the better of the 2

[Charles]

Thanks! At least now we have a substitute for M I