Dec 2011 POTM - Butterfly Fish

[fishoholic]

Originally Posted by MarkoD

Moorish idol is more closely related to a tang than a butterfly

????? A tang ???? How do you figure that? They are very simular to Heniochus which is a type of butterfly, however they are not actually related. Moorish Idols are related to Eozanclus brevirhostris.

Pic of a Heniochus acuminatus which is considered the "Poor Man's Moorish Idol".


Quote from Wikipedia

"The moorish idol, Zanclus cornutus ("Crowned Scythe"), is a small marine fish species, the sole extant representative of the family Zanclidae (from the Greek zagkios, "oblique") in order Perciform. A common inhabitant of tropical to subtropical reefs and lagoons, the moorish idol is notable for its wide distribution throughout the Indo-Pacific. A number of butterflyfishes (genus Heniochus) closely resemble the moorish idol. It is closely related to, if not a direct descendant of the extinct Eozanclus brevirhostris, from the Middle Eocene of Monte Bolca."

More info.
http://animal-unique.blogspot.com/20...rish-idol.html