[karnivor]

As some of you may know, I have a moorish Idol on order and they are notoriously finicky eaters. As I understand it, they prefer to pick at rocks and take foods from the substrate rather than eating from a clip or midwater.
I believe they like a mixed diet of algaes and meaty fare, with some sponge as well.

Ive been wondering therefore, what would be the best way to deliver the food, as the meats tend to be small and float around, similarly, algaes float around and sponge it also tricky.

My idea is to prepare a mixed, chopped diet that can be frozen and given a few times a day. The problem is keeping it together once thawed.
Sooooo, I thought about binding it all together with Agar Agar, to produce a jelly block that can be easily chomped on but will be slow to break down in the water.

My reasons for going with Agar Agar, as opposed to Gelatine is that Agar Agar is a Seaweed derivative and so seems more natural to use in a reef aquaria.

Anyone care to comment?

Next problem....finding sponges

[ben]

sounds like a good idea to me tony.

you could also attatch some nori to a rock with a rubber band for an extra choice, or even dip the nori in the agar agar and see how that goes

[bobba fett]

karnivor, on Sep 17 2009, 12:20 PM, said:

Next problem....finding sponges

Superdrug, boots, even a pound shop, you can get em shaped like a submarine and everything!

Could you derive some sort of feeder to go on a rock a bit like a bird feeder that holds the food in place but the moorish could peck through an opening or two?

[Dave.I]

To be honest,if you get a good one then feeding wont be a problem.I kept one for a while,about two years i think,and it took anything from flake,pellet,mysis,brine and nori.Its staple diet was mysis.I kept him in a 4ft by18,by15 and he was the reason for the tank.He didnt bother any corals other than all of the zoa's which he ate.His dorsal filiment was so long when he turned around to swim the other way it was still going past him,it was about 9 inches long.Stunning fish and if i had the space in my reef tank i would have a gamble on one too

[bobba fett]

You should be OK then Tony, There are plenty of zoas along the front of your tank for him to munch!

[dannyw]

Just fill your tank with sps/lps and he will be more that happy.

[karnivor]

bobba fett, on Sep 17 2009, 02:55 PM, said:

You should be OK then Tony, There are plenty of zoas along the front of your tank for him to munch!

Yeah, I wonder if i can train him just to eat the dull ones. lets hope he prefers yellow polyps, he can have as many of those as he wants, they grow like weeds.

TBH, if I had to sacrifice my zoas for him, I would do so.
Not so sure about the SPS though

[karnivor]

Dave.I, on Sep 17 2009, 02:21 PM, said:

To be honest,if you get a good one then feeding wont be a problem.I kept one for a while,about two years i think,and it took anything from flake,pellet,mysis,brine and nori.Its staple diet was mysis.I kept him in a 4ft by18,by15 and he was the reason for the tank.He didnt bother any corals other than all of the zoa's which he ate.His dorsal filiment was so long when he turned around to swim the other way it was still going past him,it was about 9 inches long.Stunning fish and if i had the space in my reef tank i would have a gamble on one too

Thanks for that, maybe i'm being over concerned.
Sounds like yours was a stunner.

[tommo]

Because its from TMC and they have an exceptional source of moorish idols, I very much doubt you will have any trouble getting it to eat m8. Of course it is important that the fish is trained in quarantine rather than the main display.
The agar agar may be a good idea, its only specific nutrients that you will struggle to get to the idol. make sure whatever food you do manufacture is rich in vitamins and lipids!!!!

I used to use dying (usually victims of overexposure to air) sponges to feed idols. Look out for near dead ones and offer a retailer peanuts. In all probability, you wont need that much sponge. Also worth looking out for someone with overexcited collospongia growth. they will be glad to donate to your cause!

As with most other potential reefeaters, satiation is the best and only preventative measure one can implement bar a moorish idol sized muzzle!

I recon following the new era aegis regime is also a good idea for idols!

Tom

[bobba fett]

If you look under Jasons Coral racks in the main tank he has a few pale ropey looking blue sponges you may be able to "aquire"