Other Fish

The Moorish Idol is an elegant fish with high contrast patterns and an extremely long, trailing dorsal fin. It has jet black stripes over its snowy white body, and a bright yellow band over its long snout and a larger lemon yellow area on its flank. Males and females are identical. The Moorish Idol can grow to be up to 7 inches long and needs a large aquarium as an adult, we recommend at least 125 gallons.The Moorish Idol resembles a bannerfish or butterflyfish but is actually more closely related to tangs. It is peaceful with all other fish, and may school with its own kind, however its trailing dorsal fin may be a target for fin nipping fish. It superficially resembles the Black Heniochus, but can be differentiated by the Moorish Idol's longer snout and black tail.Moorish Idol may nip on many types of corals, clam mantles, sponges, algae and other sessile invertebrates; they do not typically bother other invertebrates such as crustaceans unless they are very small. They feel most secure when there is plenty of live rock to hide in, as well as open space for swimming. It is common for Moorish Idol to be very finicky feeders, and because of this we recommend them only for very experienced aquarists. They should be given a highly varied diet fed several times a day. Marine algae and Spirulina, frozen Mysis shrimp, half shell clams, enriched brine shrimp, and other high quality meaty items. Supplements such as Brightwell's Angelixer and Garlic Power may entice a feeding response.

Read more less

Jawfish are some of the most personable fish available. Their huge eyes miss nothing in the aquarium, and peer through the glass at their keeper. They may then cock their head to the side like a puppy as they interact with their owner. Aggressive tank mates and fish with large mouths should be strictly avoided, as should any animal that may disturb the tranquility of the sand bed: sleeper gobies, pistol shrimp, burrowing wrasses, goatfish, etc may stress the timid jawfish out of its burrow. Unless the aquarium is large jawfish may also stress each other. They use open mouth threats, and when that does not work they grab mouthfuls of sand and dump it in the other fish's burrow. Suitable tank mates include non sand-dwelling gobies, peaceful blennies, cardinal fish, clownfish, flasher wrasses, chromis, dragonets, assessors, etc. They may consume tiny fish such as Trimma or Evotia gobies, and shrimp such as sexy shrimp. Because of its extremely shy demeanor, we recommend the jawfish be the first fish added to the aquarium.Jawfish are sand dwelling animals and use their large mouths to scoop out a burrow to live in. At nighttime or when a tunnel is not being used the fish may block it off with shells and small rocks. It is important to provide deep sand of at least four inches, preferably deeper, with plenty of shells and crushed coral of various sizes so the fish has enough building material to create a stable dwelling. The shed leaves of Halimeda algae are also utilized as building material. Rocks should be placed on the aquarium glass and sand poured around them to eliminate the danger of a cave-in when the fish excavates. Plenty of open swimming space may encourage the jawfish to hover higher above its burrow. We recommend the tank be securely covered as jawfish are prone to jumping from open top aquaria.Jawfish are primarily carnivores and their diet should include plenty of high quality meaty items, marine algae, Spirulina, and frozen Mysis shrimp. It is preferable to feed two to three times a day and to let some food land on the bottom of the aquarium. Frozen food is best, however in time they may learn to eat dry foods.The Yellow Head jawfish is a spectacular fish with a ghostly blue body that shimmers in the light. Its head is an intense lemon yellow hue. It is commonly available from the Caribbean. Males and females are identical. It grows to 4 inches and should be kept in an established aquarium of at least 30 gallons.

Read more less

Jawfish are some of the most personable fish available. Their huge eyes miss nothing in the aquarium, and peer through the glass at their keeper. They may then cock their head to the side like a puppy as they interact with their owner. Aggressive tank mates and fish with large mouths should be strictly avoided, as should any animal that may disturb the tranquility of the sand bed: sleeper gobies, pistol shrimp, burrowing wrasses, goatfish, etc may stress the timid jawfish out of its burrow. Unless the aquarium is large jawfish may also stress each other. They use open mouth threats, and when that does not work they grab mouthfuls of sand and dump it in the other fish's burrow. Suitable tank mates include non sand-dwelling gobies, peaceful blennies, cardinal fish, clownfish, flasher wrasses, chromis, dragonets, assessors, etc. They may consume tiny fish such as Trimma or Evotia gobies, and shrimp such as sexy shrimp. Because of its extremely shy demeanor, we recommend the jawfish be the first fish added to the aquarium.Jawfish are sand dwelling animals and use their large mouths to scoop out a burrow to live in. At nighttime or when a tunnel is not being used the fish may block it off with shells and small rocks. It is important to provide deep sand of at least four inches, preferably deeper, with plenty of shells and crushed coral of various sizes so the fish has enough building material to create a stable dwelling. The shed leaves of Halimeda algae are also utilized as building material. Rocks should be placed on the aquarium glass and sand poured around them to eliminate the danger of a cave-in when the fish excavates. Plenty of open swimming space may encourage the jawfish to hover higher above its burrow. We recommend the tank be securely covered as jawfish are prone to jumping from open top aquaria.Jawfish are primarily carnivores and their diet should include plenty of high quality meaty items, marine algae, Spirulina, and frozen Mysis shrimp. It is preferable to feed two to three times a day and to let some food land on the bottom of the aquarium. Frozen food is best, however in time they may learn to eat dry foods.The Black Cap jawfish has bold colorful markings and an inquisitive nature. It wears a black mask over its face, and its creamy colored body is marked by rusty orange stripes. Its rear fins are a bright lemon yellow, and a small black spot is present at the front of its dorsal fin. Males and females are identical. It grows to 4 inches and should be kept in an established aquarium of at least 30 gallons.

Read more less

Friendly by nature, they are rarely aggressive except towards other parrotfish. They are very active and require plenty of open space for swimming. Their teeth are fused together and resemble the beak of a tropical bird; they are powerful animals and regularly take bites out of the reef, eating algae, rock and coral alike. Soft coral and motile invertebrates are typically safe from their ravenous appetites; however they should receive plenty of high quality food throughout the day. Marine algae and Spirulina, frozen Mysis shrimp, half shell clams, enriched brine shrimp, chopped krill and other high quality items should be offered at least three times a day. They are heavy feeders and thus strong filtration is necessary.The Bi-Color parrotfish is a striking fish most commonly available in its juvenile coloration. It has a snowy white body with jet black and bright orange markings. Most notably a wide orange band covers its face and eyes, which are also orange. This band is outlined in black giving it spectacular contrast. A black eyespot on the dorsal fin is highlighted with orange, and orange dusts the caudal fin as well. As an adult it is primarily super saturated robin's egg blue with its features and scales outlined with magenta. Males and females are identical. The Bi-Color parrotfish grows to 31.5 inches and should be kept in an aquarium of at least 300 gallons.

Read more less