Other Marine
Moorish Idol
Zanclus cornutus
Iconic striped banner fish. Eats sponges and coral in nature — most starve in home tanks. We list it as an educational profile, not a recommendation.
Difficulty
advanced
Adult size
Up to 21 cm
Temperament
Peaceful but delicate
Minimum tank
400+ litres
Diet
Difficult — sponges, coral polyps, algae; specialist feeding required
Lifespan
Highly variable — most specimens do poorly in captivity
Water parameters
- Temperature75–80°F
- Specific gravity1.024–1.026
- pH8.1–8.4
Species-specific requirements override general saltwater guidelines.
Natural habitat
Clear reef flats and lagoons of the Indo-Pacific
Care notes
Not recommended for home aquariums. This profile exists for education, not as a shopping suggestion.
Sourcing & ethics
Educational profile only — we do not sell this species. Their specialised wild diet makes captive survival unacceptably low.
We do not stock Moorish idols. Shown as an educational profile — survival rates in home tanks are poor.
Compatibility
Keep with caution
“Caution” reflects likely aggression or predation — outcome depends on tank size, order of addition and individual temperament.