Family: Zanclidae (Moorish idol)
Order: Perciformes (perch-likes)
Class: Actinopterygii (ray-finned fishes)
FishBase name: Moorish idol
Max. size: 23.0 cm


Environment:
reef-associated; marine; depth range 3 – 182 m Climate: subtropical; 24 – 28°C; 32°N - 37°S, 31°E - 70°w Importance: fisheries: subsistence fisheries; aquarium: commercial; price category: not marketed/unknown


Distribution:
Gazetteer Indo-Pacific: East Africa to Rapa and Ducie islands, north to southern Japan and the Hawaiian Islands, south to the Lord Howe Island. Eastern Pacific: southern Gulf of California to Peru. Trade restricted in Germany.


Biology:
Inhabit turbid inner lagoons, reef flats, and clear seaward rocky and coral reefs. Engybenthic. Generally encountered in small groups of 2 or 3 individuals. Adults occur singly, in pairs and occasionally are seen in large schools. Feed on small encrusting animals. Size of metamorphosis from postlarva to juvenile is 7.5 cm. The long pelagic larval stage is the reason for the wide distribution and strong colouration that shows no geographical variation. Popular aquarium fish but rarely survives in tanks.