Mekaeel
Moderator
Moorish idols Zanclus cornutus are notorious for being difficult to maintain in captivity. They require enormous tanks, often exceeding 200 gal (757 l), are voracious eaters, and are infamous for becoming incredibly destructive. Their captive survival rate is very low, most do not survive for a full year. Most that live past this mark typically die shortly thereafter. It is not recommended that any aquarist attempt to keep this species, because it is considered cruel by many and is nearly impossible (see diet). To avoid these shortfalls, some aquarists prefer to keep substitute species that look very similar to the Moorish Idol.
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