Colours
Distinguishing features
A medium sized fish with a laterally compressed body and a long trailing filament off the dorsal fin. A series of thick alternating black and yellow-white vertical bars on the body
Size
- Up to 24 cm (Standard length)
Depth range
- Depth range data is not yet available.
Synonyms
Similar taxa
Distribution
©Atlas of Living Australia: Australian distribution
Distribution and habitat preferences
Reef fronts, flats, and sheltered lagoonal and backreef habitats.
Can be found in most locations around the island.
Behaviour
The Moorish Idol is the only member of its family, and is most closely related to the Surgeonfishes. It has a very long pelagic larval stage with good dispersal capabilities, and this has resulted in a pan-Indo-Pacific distribution for this species. The post-larvae metamorphoses into the juvenile at about 7.5cm, an extremely large size for a reef fish. Juveniles maintain small territories on the reef, whereas larger individuals are generally seen in small groups of 2-5 and roam more widely. They feed on a combination of algae and small invertebrates.
Web resources
References
- Howlett, R. (1999). Monkey business in the aquarium, Nature, 97: 211. LIRS catalog number 90150.
- Thorsen, D.H. and M.W. Westneat (2005). Diversity of pectoral fin structure and function in fishes With labriform propulsion, Journal of Morphology, 263: 133-150. LIRS catalog number 90151.