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Brief Summary

provided by EOL authors
The Moorish Idol, Zanclus cornutus, is a small (up to 23 cm long) tropical and subtropical marine fish and the only species in the family Zanclidae. Vertically flattened, they sport black, yellow and white vertical strips and a very long white sickle-shaped extension off the dorsal fin (Zanclus translates to sickle in Greek). It has bony projections over its eyes. Found throughout the tropical pacific, it is also native to the coast of East Africa and the Indian Ocean. Individuals have been found off Florida, probably released from aquaria. Zanclus cornutus has a long pelagic (open water) larval stage, which is cited as the dispersal mechanism for this very widely-found species. The Moorish Idol inhabits mostly reefs in shallow waters feeding on corals, sponges and other small invertebrates. Mating for life, Moorish idols are usually found individually or in pairs, but they sometimes school in groups up to 100, especially as juveniles. Moorish idols have an impressive, convergent resemblance to several species of angel fish, especially species in the distantly related genus Heniochus (e.g. bannerfish Heniochus diphreutes, also called the false Moorish idol and pennant coralfish H. acuminatus, also called the poor man’s Moorish idol). Moorish Idols are sought for the aquarium trade, but are sensitive fish that are difficult to feed and often don’t last long in captivity. (McGrouther 2011; Schofield 2012; Wikipedia 2012)
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Diagnostic Description

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Strongly compressed discoid body. Tubular snout with a small mouth containing numerous elongate bristle-like teeth. Dorsal spines elongated into a whip-like filament.Description: Characterized further by having distinctive pattern of alternating yellow and black bars; long snout and tubular with small mouth; teeth slender, slightly incurved and in an single row in each jaw; adult with bony projection in front of each eye (Ref. 90102).
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Recorder
Rodolfo B. Reyes
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Diseases and Parasites

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White spot Disease. Parasitic infestations (protozoa, worms, etc.)
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Recorder
Allan Palacio
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Morphology

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Dorsal spines (total): 6 - 7; Dorsal soft rays (total): 39 - 43; Analspines: 3; Analsoft rays: 31 - 37
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Rodolfo B. Reyes
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Trophic Strategy

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Inhabits turbid inner lagoons, reef flats, and clear seaward rocky and coral reefs (Ref. 1602, 48637). Generally encountered in small groups of 2 or 3 individuals (Ref. 9267). Adults occur singly, in pairs and occasionally are seen in large schools (Ref. 48637). Feeds mainly on sponges (Ref. 59308) and small encrusting animals (Ref. 6113). Sessile invertebrate feeder (Ref. 57615).
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Pascualita Sa-a
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Biology

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Inhabit turbid inner lagoons, reef flats, and clear seaward rocky and coral reefs (Ref. 1602, 48637). Benthopelagic (Ref. 58302). Generally encountered in small groups of 2 or 3 individuals (Ref. 9267). Adults occur singly, in pairs and occasionally are seen in large schools (Ref. 48637). Feed on small encrusting animals (Ref. 6113). Size of metamorphosis from postlarva to juvenile is 7.5 cm (Ref. 9267). The long pelagic larval stage is the reason for the wide distribution and strong colouration that shows no geographical variation (Ref. 48637). Popular aquarium fish but rarely survives in tanks (Ref. 1602).
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Crispina B. Binohlan
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Importance

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fisheries: subsistence fisheries; aquarium: commercial
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Crispina B. Binohlan
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分布

provided by The Fish Database of Taiwan
廣泛分布於印度-太平洋及東太平洋區,自非洲東部到墨西哥,北至日本南部及夏威夷群島,南到羅得豪及拉帕島;包括密克羅尼西亞。
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臺灣魚類資料庫
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臺灣魚類資料庫

利用

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水族館展示之重要魚種,據報載在水族箱內有存活十年之記錄。
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描述

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體極側扁而高。口小;齒細長呈刷毛狀,多為厚唇所蓋住。吻突出。成魚眼前具一短棘。尾柄無棘。背鰭硬棘延長如絲狀。身體呈白至黃色;頭部在眼前緣至胸鰭基部後具極寬的黑橫帶區;體後端另具1個黑橫帶區,區後具1條細白橫帶;吻上方具1個三角形且鑲黑斑的黃斑;吻背部黑色;眼上方具兩條白紋;胸鰭基部下方具1個環狀白紋。腹鰭及尾鰭黑色,具白色緣。
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棲地

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主要棲息於潟湖、礁台、清澈的珊瑚或岩礁區,棲息深度在3-182公尺。經常被發現成小群優游於礁區。主要以小型帶殼的動物為食。
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Moorish idol

provided by wikipedia EN

The Moorish idol (Zanclus cornutus) is a marine fish species, the sole extant representative of the family Zanclidae (from the Greek ζαγκίος, zagkios, "oblique") in order Acanthuriformes. 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 brevirostris, from the Middle Eocene of Monte Bolca.

The Moorish idol got its name from the "Moors" of Africa, who purportedly believed the fish to be a bringer of happiness. Moorish idols are also a coveted aquarium fish but, despite their abundance and wide array of habitats, they are notoriously finicky and hard to adjust to captivity. Their omnivorous diet can be extremely difficult to replicate in aquaria, as the vegetation which they live on is normally exterminated and they have a habit of eating corals and sponges.

Description

ZanclusCornutus.png

With distinctively compressed and disk-like bodies, Moorish idols stand out in contrasting bands of black, white and yellow, which makes them attractive to aquarium keepers. The fish have relatively small fins, except for the dorsal fin, whose six or seven spines are dramatically elongated to form a trailing, sickle-shaped crest called the philomantis extension. Moorish idols have small terminal mouths at the end of long, tubular snouts; many long bristle-like teeth line the mouth. The Moorish idol differs from butterflyfish in having a prominent black, triangular anal fin.

The eyes are set high on the fish's deeply keeled body; in adults, perceptible bumps are located above each. The anal fin may have two or three spines. Moorish idols reach a maximum length of 23 cm (9.1 in). The sickle-like dorsal spines shorten with age.

Distribution and habitat

Generally denizens of shallow waters, Moorish idols prefer flat reefs. This fish may be found at depths from 0.3 to 180 m (1 ft 0 in to 590 ft 7 in), in both murky and clear conditions. Their range includes: East Africa, the Indian Ocean, Persian Gulf, the Ducie Islands, Hawaii, southern Japan and all of Micronesia; they are also found from the southern Gulf of California south to Peru.

Feeding

Sponges, coral polyps, tunicates and other benthic invertebrates constitute the bulk of the Moorish idol's diet.

Behavior

Often seen alone, Moorish idols also form pairs or occasionally small schools, especially as juveniles. They are diurnal fish, sticking to the bottom of the reef at night, adopting a drab coloration. Like butterfly fish, they mate for life. Adult males display aggression toward one another.

Reproduction

Moorish idols are pelagic spawners; that is, they release eggs and sperm in the water column, leaving fertilized eggs to drift away with the currents. The range of these fish may be explained by the unusually long larval stage. The fish reach a length of 7.5 cm (3.0 in) before becoming free-swimming juveniles.

In the aquarium

A comparison of the three remarkably similar fish: the Moorish idol (left), schooling bannerfish (top) and pennant coralfish (bottom)

Moorish idols are notoriously difficult to maintain in captivity. They require large tanks, often exceeding 380 L (84 imp gal; 100 US gal),[3] are voracious eaters, and can become destructive.[3]

Some aquarists prefer to keep substitute species that look very similar to the Moorish idol. These substitutes are all butterflyfishes of the genus Heniochus and include the pennant coralfish, H. acuminatus; threeband pennantfish, H. chrysostomus and the false Moorish idol, H. diphreutes.

Moorish idols typically are very picky eaters. They will either eat no food and perish, or eat everything all at once.[3]

Timeline

In popular culture

  • In the 2003 Disney/Pixar animated movie Finding Nemo, a Moorish idol fish named Gill, voiced by Willem Dafoe, was one of Nemo's tank mates and the leader of the Tank Gang. Gill was depicted having a very strong desire for freedom outside of the aquarium and was constantly scheming to achieve this, possibly alluding to the difficulty of keeping real-life Moorish idols in captivity. Gill and the other members of the Tank Gang appeared in the 2016 sequel, Finding Dory in the post credits scene during the end credits.[4]
  • Moorish idols have long been among the most recognizable of coral reef fauna. Their image has graced all types of products, such as: shower curtains, blankets, towels and wallpaper made with an ocean or underwater theme.
  • Moorish idols appear in the 2011 video game Go Vacation as one of forty sea creatures to observe while scuba diving.

References

  1. ^ Carpenter, K.E.; Lawrence, A.; Myers, R. (2016). "Zanclus cornutus". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2016: e.T69741115A69742744. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2016-3.RLTS.T69741115A69742744.en. Retrieved 13 November 2021.
  2. ^ Froese, Rainer; Pauly, Daniel (eds.) (2014). "Zanclus cornutus" in FishBase. November 2014 version.
  3. ^ a b c "How to Care for One of the Most Difficult Aquarium Fish".
  4. ^ "Willem Dafoe Returns For 'Finding Dory': 'It's Even Better Than The First'". The Inquisitr. 6 October 2013. Retrieved 6 October 2013.

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Moorish idol: Brief Summary

provided by wikipedia EN

The Moorish idol (Zanclus cornutus) is a marine fish species, the sole extant representative of the family Zanclidae (from the Greek ζαγκίος, zagkios, "oblique") in order Acanthuriformes. 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 brevirostris, from the Middle Eocene of Monte Bolca.

The Moorish idol got its name from the "Moors" of Africa, who purportedly believed the fish to be a bringer of happiness. Moorish idols are also a coveted aquarium fish but, despite their abundance and wide array of habitats, they are notoriously finicky and hard to adjust to captivity. Their omnivorous diet can be extremely difficult to replicate in aquaria, as the vegetation which they live on is normally exterminated and they have a habit of eating corals and sponges.

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Description

provided by World Register of Marine Species
Inhabits turbid inner lagoons, reef flat, and clear seaward reefs (Ref. 1602). Generally encountered in small groups. Feeds on small encrusting animals (Ref. 6113). Size of metamorphosis from postlarva to juvenile is 7.5 cm (Ref. 9267). Popular aquarium fish but rarely survives in tanks (Ref. 1602).

Reference

Froese, R. & D. Pauly (Editors). (2023). FishBase. World Wide Web electronic publication. version (02/2023).

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Edward Vanden Berghe [email]

Habitat

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Known from seamounts and knolls

Reference

Stocks, K. 2009. Seamounts Online: an online information system for seamount biology. Version 2009-1. World Wide Web electronic publication.

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