Moorish Idol
Zanclus cornutus
Original price was: $240.99.$126.99Current price is: $126.99.
| Stock | Variations | Price | Quantity | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Out of Stock | 2.25 - 4.25" - Indian Ocean | Original price was: $294.99.$154.99Current price is: $154.99. | Email me | |
| Only 3 left | 2.25 - 4.25" - Indo-Pacific | Original price was: $240.99.$126.99Current price is: $126.99. |
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Full guarantee terms →Ships Monday – Thursday for next-day arrival at your nearest FedEx Hold location — typically ready by 9 AM. We monitor every delivery.
Shipping details →
Monday – Friday 8 AM – 9 PM
Saturday 12 PM – 4 PM
Sunday 12 PM – 9 PM
Healthy, stable animals from vetted suppliers — inspected before packing, shipped overnight. Decades of experience built this model so we can deliver premium livestock at 30%+ less than you'd pay elsewhere.
| Care Level | Expert |
|---|---|
| Temperament | Peaceful |
| Reef Safe | No |
| Functional Benefit | Ornamental Only |
| Diet Type | Omnivore |
| Mininum Tank Size | 120 gallons |
| Max Size | 8 inches |
| Temperature | 76–82°F |
| pH Range | 8.1–8.4 |
| Specific Gravity | 1.021–1.024 |
The Moorish Idol (Zanclus cornutus) is a black, white, and yellow reef fish recognized for its long dorsal “banner” fin and narrow, tubular snout. It ranges widely across Indo-Pacific reefs and is also known in Hawai‘i as “Kihikihi.”
What You’ll Observe:
- Cruising the rockwork and pausing often to graze and pick at surfaces
- Regular visits to algae sheets and “clip” foods once it learns the routine
- Steady daytime activity with frequent short foraging laps around the tank
- Strong interest in foods presented where it naturally pecks (near rock and ledges)
To succeed long-term, provide a mature aquarium with extensive live rock so it can graze throughout the day, then build a prepared-food routine around frequent offerings. Many keepers have the best consistency with a mix that includes seaweed sheets plus sponge-based or “angel” style foods presented on a clip near the rockwork.
How do hobbyists help a new Moorish Idol accept prepared foods?
Start by offering foods where it naturally pecks—secured near rockwork on a clip—then keep the same placement and timing so it learns the pattern.
Is it normal for a Moorish Idol to spend most of the day “picking” at the rocks?
Yes. Constant surface-grazing is a typical foraging style, especially as it explores and settles into a new environment.
Do grazing stations (algae clips, clip-fed blends) make a difference long-term?
Many aquarists treat a clip-fed station as part of the daily routine so the fish can take repeated small bites between feedings.
What foods do hobbyists rotate once it’s established?
A common approach is to rotate seaweed sheets, sponge-containing frozen blends, and small meaty items so it gets both grazing and protein-style bites.
Can you keep more than one Moorish Idol together?
Some aquarists attempt pairs, but most long-term success reports focus on single specimens unless the system is extremely large and the fish are introduced carefully.
Each fish is checked for strong appetite and activity before we approve it for your tank.
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