All fish / Zanclidae

Moorish Idol

Zanclus cornutus

Also known as moorish idol, moorish idol fish, zanclus, kihikihi, toby, bannerfish, ปลาโนรีครีบยาว, ツノダシ, ikan bendera, 镰鱼, 角蝶

A tall, flattened reef fish with bold black, white and yellow vertical bands, a pointed snout and a long trailing dorsal filament. It is famous for its striking looks and is often sought after despite being notoriously difficult to keep.

Care at a glance

Care level

Hard

Temperament

Semi

Adult size

18 cm

Temperature

24 to 28 °C

pH

8.1 to 8.4

Smallest tank

800 litres

Keep as

Singly or as a mature group in a very large system

Diet

Omnivore: sponges in the wild; in captivity mysis, sponge-based frozen foods, marine algae, enriched brine shrimp

Swims

Middle of the tank

Lifespan

5 to 10 years

Water

Marine (saltwater)

Wild range

Indo-Pacific and eastern Pacific, from East Africa to Hawaii and Mexico

Breeding

It spawns in open water and has a long pelagic larval stage, reaching a large size before settling. It has not been bred in home aquariums.

Good to know

Many specimens refuse food and waste away, so it is best left to experienced keepers with very large, mature reef systems. Often confused with the cheaper and hardier Heniochus bannerfish.