The majestic Moorish idol (Zanclus Cornutus) is one of the most popular inhabitants among visitors to the coral reefs of the Indo-Pacific, especially along the coasts and reefs of Maldives, Palau, Hawaii, Tahiti, and Bali. This fame is partly due to its "star role" as Gill in the movie "Finding Nemo." It is the sole member of the Zanclidae family and is often mistaken for a butterflyfish due to some shared characteristics.
We are so passionate about this fish that we've dedicated a coral reef fish poster. An ideal gift, especially for kids' rooms :-)
Adult specimens typically grow up to 15 centimeters on average but can reach up to 22 centimeters. These fish are easily recognizable by their long and slender dorsal fin with a filamentous tip, their long snout, and their distinctive black and yellow bands around the eyes, ventral fins, and tail.
Moorish idols live across a wide range of depths, even in very deep waters of up to 180 meters, but they generally inhabit depths between 3 and 20 meters. In their natural habitat, the Moorish idol is found on flat reefs where they feed on sponges, tunicates, and small invertebrates.
Although not endangered, many have been captured for aquarium enthusiasts, largely due to the Pixar movie.
