Moorish Idol feed. Sponge??

[viperfish]

Originally Posted by RD

There is much that sets it apart from other foods, but most of that falls under proprietary information.

OK my point was there are foods out there of comparable quality to New Life Spectrum. NLS just has an unknown ingredient, or the right combination of ingredients, or maybe its just the region where their ingredients are harvested that makes them more complete for the nutritional requirements of the MI. I just find it sort of odd that the health of most marine fish depends on a varied diet consisting of primarily live or frozen food and this fish, one of the most sensitive in the hobby, has had greatest success with a pellet.
I'm just generalizing here because I don't know anything more specific, neither does Pablo Tepoot, or Bob Fenner, so if you have something more please share. I would go out and get a Moorish Idol tomorrow if I knew the secret of successfully keeping one.

[naesco]

Originally Posted by medhatreefguy

Bob Fenner highly recommends the New Life Spectrum Pellets for successfully feeding MI's. Apparently there isn't a particular ingredient identified that sets it apart from the other foods but I guess by trial and error this food seems to work ( I hope they didn't try too many brands before they hit the right one).

Is Robert Fenner suggesting that Moorish Idol can be kept sucessfully?
If so could you point me in to the article your read.
Thanks

[RD]

Bob Fenner has seen MI kept successfully for years, so none of this would come as any big surprise to him.

I just find it sort of odd that the health of most marine fish depends on a varied diet consisting of primarily live or frozen food and this fish, one of the most sensitive in the hobby, has had greatest success with a pellet.

Says who? I saw a marine tank that was full of the some of the most difficult to keep species, Butterfly Fish, Parrot Fish, Philippine Regal Angels, Majestic Angels, Rock Beauty, Moorish Idol, Achilles Tang, and numerous other species, and they all thrived on an exclusive diet of pellets.
That tank suffered a major crash a couple of years ago, but at the time the vast majority of the fish were over 12 yrs old, and none of them had ever seen live, or frozen food.

Bob Fenner has seen the same tank, a number of times.

IMO it's impossible to talk about comparable quality in foods, unless you are running long term feed trials, and feeding said food exclusively. No frozen, no live, no supplements at all. I suspect that many aren't willing to do that, so it's impossible to compare something that you've never personally tried. I also wouldn't be so quick to judge what Pablo knows, or doesn't know about the dietary requirements of marine fish, you might be surprised.

[konaevent]

I feed him "omega one marine pellets from omega sea" with nori.
I don't know it's good enough or not
Anyway my MI and tank mates are like this now.

I also try to put more fish in before I open the store
It's new setup for the store so like to have lots of colors. ^^.

It's 230g with morish idol, clown pair, hippo, yellow, powder blue tang, juvi emperor, juvi blue, flame angel, fire goby, yasha and pistol shrimp pair, cleaner shrimp, fire shrimp, cowfish.
They're all small and peaceful.

I'm thinking maybe 2 or 3 more fish in
Any suggestion about fish??
Thanks, Tony

[naesco]

Originally Posted by RD

Bob Fenner has seen MI kept successfully for years, so none of this would come as any big surprise to him.



Says who? I saw a marine tank that was full of the some of the most difficult to keep species, Butterfly Fish, Parrot Fish, Philippine Regal Angels, Majestic Angels, Rock Beauty, Moorish Idol, Achilles Tang, and numerous other species, and they all thrived on an exclusive diet of pellets.
That tank suffered a major crash a couple of years ago, but at the time the vast majority of the fish were over 12 yrs old, and none of them had ever seen live, or frozen food.

Bob Fenner has seen the same tank, a number of times.

IMO it's impossible to talk about comparable quality in foods, unless you are running long term feed trials, and feeding said food exclusively. No frozen, no live, no supplements at all. I suspect that many aren't willing to do that, so it's impossible to compare something that you've never personally tried. I also wouldn't be so quick to judge what Pablo knows, or doesn't know about the dietary requirements of marine fish, you might be surprised.

Bullshit!
You are obviously in the business of selling fish.
If that is the case it is your obligation to identify yourself otherwise you are in a conflict of interest.
Reefers, especially new reefers, want to hear from reefers who have experience to help them. They do not want to hear from fish sellers who do not identify themselves as such.

[RD]

Ask Bob Fenner, then tell me I'm full of BS. BTW, I don't know Bob personally, but I guarantee that he would vouch for everything that I have posted in this discussion.

The OP in this discussion asked for input, I gave him the best advice that I know of, a diet that has been proven to have long term success with MI. As previously mentioned, I am not posting any of this in support of keeping MI in captivity. While I have a vested interest within the aquaculture industry (many here know who I am), I don't sell fish, nor do I give a flying flip what anyone here keeps, or feeds their fish.

Sorry for the intrusion, carry on .......

[naesco]

Originally Posted by RD

Ask Bob Fenner, then tell me I'm full of BS. BTW, I don't know Bob personally, but I guarantee that he would vouch for everything that I have posted in this discussion.

The OP in this discussion asked for input, I gave him the best advice that I know of, a diet that has been proven to have long term success with MI. As previously mentioned, I am not posting any of this in support of keeping MI in captivity. While I have a vested interest within the aquaculture industry (many here know who I am), I don't sell fish, nor do I give a flying flip what anyone here keeps, or feeds their fish.

Sorry for the intrusion, carry on .......

I do not know who you are nor the vested interest you have in our hobby.
Why don't you let us all know exactly what that interest is?

[RD]

Better yet, other than telling the OP that he should flush his fish down the toilet, because it's doomed to certain death, why don't you offer something constructive to this discussion? I supply a number of the vendors on this forum (not live fish) so I'm not going to go round & round with you, or anyone else. Your previous (bullshit!) repsonse is a prime example of why I typically don't get involved in these types of discussions here.

I offered some very sound advice, whether the OP takes it or not is up to him.

Happy fishkeeping.

[viperfish]

Originally Posted by RD

I supply a number of the vendors on this forum (not live fish) so I'm not going to go round & round with you, or anyone else. Your previous (bullshit!) repsonse is a prime example of why I typically don't get involved in these types of discussions here.

I offered some very sound advice, whether the OP takes it or not is up to him.

Geez! Take a pill there buddy! So you sell New Life Spectrum, it's very clear what you sell and who you sell it to on your website, it's understandable that you would get on the defensive every time I mention alternative foods but lets face it, you're a salesman and next week or next year you'll be selling something else and it will be the best. Here is a reality check for you my friend, there are foods out there as good as NLS, so get over it! Don't go shooting people down for mentioning there are other good foods out there.

There are a lot of very knowledgeable and friendly people on this forum, unlike you they contribute with sound advice, you're just plugging your product and since you aren't a sponsor you have to do it very discretely. If everyone was like you and stayed away, there would be no forum. Boy I hope you have someone else looking after client relations because you are doing a real crappy job!

[konaevent]

I found good guide about Moorish Idol.
According to this my MI really good now.

Identification: The Moorish Idol is not an Angelfish, nor a Butterflyfish, but rather a close relative of the Acanthruidae or Surgeonfish family. A one-of-a-kind Zanclidae family member, this fish is also often misidentified as a Pennant or Bannerfish, which are actually species of the Heniochus genus that are commonly referred to as the "False" or "Poor Man's" Moorish Idol.
Distribution: From Hawai'i to Australia, and from the west coast of Central America westward to the coast of Africa and the Red Sea.

Average Size: Generally to about 7 inches, but some adults may attain 8 or 9 inches.

Habitat: Should be provided with plenty of unobstructed swimming space, as well as ample hiding places to take refuge when feeling threatened.

Minimum Tank Size Suggested: 100 gallons.

Characteristics and Compatibility: Typically the Moorish Idol is a moderately-peaceful fish best kept with other non-aggressive species. In regards to keeping multiple numbers of these fish together, there are many opinions. Some aquarists recommend only keeping this fish singly or in mated pairs, while others suggest they only do well if introduced into an aquarium in groups of four, six, ten, or whatever.

From experience we know that large mature adults have a low tolerance for one other, and therefore keeping a single specimen or a mated pair is recommended. As far as juveniles, although this fish does seem to commune fairly well as a group, nonetheless their behavior towards one another can be "unpredictable". Sometimes a group of smaller Moorish Idols will get along just fine, while other times there may be one renegade in the group that becomes dominant, and decides to pick on all the others.

Diet and Feeding: Typically difficult fish to keep, larger specimens usually do not adjust well to aquarium life. With the tendency to ignore foods offered, most often their health will decline due to slow starvation. Smaller juvenile or sub-adult specimens may more readily adapt to their surroundings, but just the same, these fish are unpredictable in their feeding behavior.

For fish that refuse to eat, to survive in captivity live rock that is rich with coralline algae and sponge growth may be needed to stimulate their desire to do so. Offer finely chopped fresh or frozen shrimp, clams, squid, and other meaty fares suitable for carnivores, live mysid and brine shrimp, some vegetable matter as well as supplemental vitamin-enriched prepared foods that contain marine algae and Spirulina. Feed 2 to 3 times a day.

Reef Tank Suitability: Moorish Idols will often pick at LPS corals, and certain soft coral polyps. Although this fish primarily eats coraline algae and sponge in nature, this doesn't mean that it might not pick at other types of sessile invertebrates, or maybe even motile crustaceans.
Guide Buying Tips: Because these fish are typically difficult to care for in captivity, a key factor in the success of keeping a Moorish Idol is buying one that is in the best of health to start with. Here are some important things to observe and find out about this fish, before you decide to buy one.

The colors should be dark, and bright, not faded or washed out.
The fish's body should appear somewhat full and rounded out at the sides, the stomach area should not appear concave or sunken, and the skeletal structure of the fish should not be noticeable underneath the skin.
Ask someone to feed the fish while you are at the pet store. If they will not, because they may have set feeding times, find out when this is, and then ask to be present so you can see for yourself that the fish is eating well.
Find out what the pet store is feeding the fish, and match that diet.
If the fins and the tail appear to be frayed or ragged looking, or are partially burnt off around the edges, and the fish's eyes are cloudy, this is most often a sign of exposure to ammonia burns, which usually stems from bad collecting and shipping practices, but can also result from poor aquarium water quality conditions and care.
One of the best gauges for judging how this fish has been handled is to look at its long white streamer or pennant. If it is partially missing, or burnt off altogether, it's a sign the fish was at one time, or may be exposed to unfavorable conditions. However, if the streamer is missing, but you can see a new, small white filamentous-like growth starting to grow out of where the pennant used to be, its an excellent sign that the fish is getting the proper care, recovering and regaining a state of good health. Now if the pennant is missing, but no new growth is yet apparent, its a good idea to wait a week or two to see how the fish's condition progresses. It is not unusual for the symptoms of exposure to ammonia burn to be delayed, therefore a particular fish's condition can possibily decline as well.