Appearance and lifestyle:
Moorish idols (Zanclus cornutus) are strikingly beautiful. Most notable are the elongated white dorsal fins, which extend far beyond their tails. Although very similar in appearance to some species of butterflyfish, the Moorish idol can be easily distinguished by its black, triangular anal fin.
Habitat:
They inhabit coral and rocky reefs in the Indian and Pacific Oceans.
Diet:
Moorish idols hunt small invertebrates along coral and rocky reefs using their pronounced snouts. They also feed on sponges and coral polyps.
Threats:
The Moorish idol’s IUCN status is Least Concern with stable populations.
Widespread species, found on coastal reefs throughout the Indian and Pacific Oceans
Grows up to 23cm long.
A Moorish idol made an appearance in Finding Nemo as Gill, one of Nemo’s tank mates