Moorish Idol

This fish is known as Moorish Idol and the correct latin name is Zanclus cornutus. It belongs to the Moorish Idol family. (e) Origin of this fish is Indo-Pacific. (e)

Character and suggestions regarding care

This fish is peaceful.

Moorish Idol can grow up to 25 cm what is approximately 9 inches. 1 specimen basically needs at least 3000cm² of water surface which is approximately 465 square inch. This species will require to be kept in a tank that is very large. (e) Medium aquariums have at least 113 Litres (30 US Gallons). Large aquariums have at least 265 Litres (70 US Gallons). Capacity of very large aquariums is at least 700 Litres (185 US Gallons).

It is difficult to keep the Moorish Idol fish. (e) The specific gravity (SG) should be between 1,020 and 1,025, the temperature between 23°C (73.4°F) and 26°C (78.8°F). The suggested level of pH (a measure of the acidity/basicity) is between 8.0 and 8.3 which is usual for most marine fish.

Zanclus Cornutus is an omnivore. They accept a variety of meat based food, algae and live foods. However, they are very demanding in the term of feeding. This is why it’s nearly impossible to keep them successfully. Not recommended for home aquariums.

Thanks to Kenneth Leonard for this picture, the original URL is this. Copyright 2008 Ken Leonard.














Thanks to Kenneth Leonard for the pictures. Copyright Ken Leonard.




















Recommended reading

• Saltwater aquarium heater
• Saltwater aquarium lights
• Saltwater aquarium filters
• Saltwater tank aeration
• Marine fish diseases
• Protein Simmers in the Saltwater Tank
• Setting up a Saltwater Tank
• Saltwater Fish Tanks
• Cleaner Shrimp
• Pajama Cardinals

By Exotic Aquariums

• Banded Butterflyfish
• Black-Ray Goby
• Blue-Banded Goby
• Blue Chromis
• Blue Green Chromis
• Blue Spot Butterflyfish
• Breeding Seahorses
• Cleaning Goby
• Common Seahorse
• Domino Damselfish
• Dragonface Pipefish
• Drawf Seahorse
• Fire Goby
• Ghost Pipefish
• Golden Damselfish
• Humbug Damselfish
• Lemonpeel Dwarf Angelfish (Centropyge flavissima) Care
• Longfin Bannerfish
• Majestic Angelfish Care
• Neon Velvet Damselfish
• Northern Seahorse
• Pyramid Butterflyfish
• Spotted Watchman Goby
• Tips on Yellow Longnose Butterflyfish Care
• Two Spot Goby
• Yellow Longnose Butterflyfish

Feel free to share your experiences regarding keeping Zanclus cornutus below. Every message will be held for approval by our moderators. It usually takes 24 hours to publish your comment. Before you ask anything, browse the questions page, please.

Leave your name below, please.

Leave your email below, please. We will not publish it at all. See our privacy policy for this purpose, please. Once your comment is reviewed and published, you will receive a notification email.

Leave your comment below, please. Use correct English, please! Slang or too many misspellings will cause deletion.

edit this page or create a new fish profile