Moorish Idol and SPS

[naesco]

Originally Posted by Edmonton Eskimo

I think it's funny when someone considers keeping one of these for a year a success. I'm not saying every one collected dies in captivity and I don't know the exact percentage that do but I would suspect it is in the 90 plus percent. To me that is us as cocky humans thinking we run the world and taking what we wish. It's completely wrong and NONE of us should be buying these fish. To say"I bought it because it was at the store already is silly. The only reason stores keep bringing these fish in is because people buy them. I think governments need to step in and make this an illegal fish to collect and distribute. I'm not bashing any individual that buys one I'm just saying that us as supposed responsible reefkeepers need to stop purchasing these, or any fish, coral, invertebrate that has a higher than 50 percent death rate in captivity. Just my 22 cents

+1 with the caveat that scientists and experts should be able to bring them in on a permit basis.

[seanoman]

I appreciate the responses that everyone has had so far and I realize that everyone is entitled to there opinions, and I respect that. However, the title of the thread was not that of whether or not we as the hobbyist should be attempting to keep these fish. I would appreciate and I assume others would too, that if you wish to voice your opinions on that, that you do it in the correct thread. For example the Red List thread. I am not going to bash anybody for there opinion either way, but all I was asking when I started the thread, was what experience people have had with MI's and SPS.

Thanks again to everyone who has replied with there experiences, and I will try and keep you updated on how our MI is doing. As of so far, I have only seen damage to one small frag that I saw him picking at. So I will not be removing him from our tank as of yet. All the other corals are showing good PE, so I think It should be fine. I also saw that it seemed that he only had interest in corals that were in the corner of the tank by his normal sleeping hole. Don't know if that has anything to do with it or not, just an observation. As i have never seen him touch corals on the other side of the tank.

[naesco]

With respect, I think it is quite proper to comment either for or against.
Experienced reefers don't want to leave the wrong impression.
If only those who had success posted in answer to your post the seriously wrong impression would be left that this fish a keep able.
That is not what I personally would like newbies to read.
You may have noted that all comments for and against were polite and that is what is important.

Good Luck with your MI!