A one-of-a-kind Moorish Idol has been made available on the website Marine Collectors. Named a Koi Moorish Idol, this eye-catching example of Zanclus cornutus displays four colors instead of the usual three, with far more orange and far less black than the standard for this iconic species. Orange coloration is usually confined just to the snouts of a small percentage of perfect Moorish Idols but in this fish, the orange is prominent on the lower jaw, throughout the eye stripe, and as far back as the gill cover. The iconic black bands also seem to have been almost rubbed off to reveal the orange underneath, the second band looking broken and brown, and the tail completely devoid of any melanism. The black coloration may further fade as the pattern continues to transition and if it does, its rarity and value will only increase.
If this was a koi tang then its long-term care would be straightforward, easy even. Seeing as it’s a wild-caught Moorish Idol however the jeopardy usually only increases for any potential owner barring the work put in by Marine Collectors to quarantine, medicate and get the fish feeding. The fact that this Koi Idol has been through rigorous quarantine and has come out the other side not only feeding but feeding on frozen AND dry foods means that its been in the best possible expert care and stands the best chance of survival long term in captivity. We had to look twice when we saw this fish photo as at first, we thought it was a painting. It’s a special fish indeed with a $5,500 price tag to match, but we look forward to following its pattern’s progress and wish it well in its future home.
