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Here's a little teaser for the "dark side" brigade.

The Moorish Idol, Zanclus cornutus (or Zanclus canescens, depending upon which taxonomists you believe), is something of a puzzle to me. No, this isn't about keeping them in captivity (Anthony Calfo in any case describes this as a fish that requires luck rather than skill to keep alive), it's about the name.

Why is it called a Moorish Idol?

This has puzzled me for years. And thus far, I've never encountered anyone who has even the slightest clue why it's called that.

I'm also puzzled as to why so many people seem to think that this is a stunning fish - personally, I think the Wimplefish, Heniochus acuminatus, not only "does the job better" but has the distinction of being a Butterfly Fish that won't cause a reasonably experienced marine aquarist grief, which is more than can be said for the Moorish Idol. But, that's a separate question.

Anyone know how the Moorish Idol got its name? If you have references, even better!


Panda Catfish fan and keeper/breeder since Christmas 2002

Ok, this is what I found. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zanclidae



Dan