Moorish idol

Facts

Scientific name:

Zanclus cornutus

Biology:

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

IUCN Red List Status:

Not Evaluated

Threat to humans:

Harmless

Photos & Description

License type:

CC-BY-NC-ND

Source:

http://www.ryanphotographic.com/zanclidae.htm

License type:

CC-BY

Author:

Leonard Low from Australia

Source:

http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Zanclus_cornutus.jpg

License type:

CC-BY-SA

Author:

Shizhao

Source:

http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Zanclus_cornutus_at_Beijing_aquarium.JPG

See my photos of this species See photos of this specie from other users

Short description:

Dorsal spines (total): 6 - 7; Dorsal soft rays (total): 39-43; Anal spines : 3; Anal soft rays : 31 - 37. Strongly compressed discoid body. Tubular snout with a small mouth containing numerous elongate bristle-like teeth. Dorsal spines elongated into a whip-like filament.

Size / Weight / Age:

Maturity: L m &nbsp ? &nbsp range ? - ? cm Max length : 23.0 cm TL male/unsexed; ; common length : 21.0 cm NG male/unsexed;