Description
Zanclus cornutus, commonly known as the Moorish idol, is a striking marine fish native to tropical and subtropical Indo-Pacific reefs. Recognizable by its disc-shaped body, dramatic black, white, and yellow vertical bands, and a distinct whip-like white dorsal filament, it grows up to 23 cm
Physical Appearance
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Body Shape: Highly compressed side-to-side, creating a deep, disc-like profile.
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Snout and Mouth: Features a long, tubular snout ending in a small mouth with bristle-like teeth.
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Fins: The third dorsal spine extends into a long, trailing white filament (sickle-shaped).
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Markings: Bold vertical black bars contrast with white and yellow body sections, accompanied by an orange-bordered black saddle on the snout. Adults also develop tiny bony horns above the eyes.
Habitat and Behavior
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Distribution: Widely found across the Indo-Pacific, from the Red Sea and East Africa to Hawaii and down to the Great Barrier Reef.
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Depth: Inhabits shallow lagoons and outer reef slopes from 1 to over 180 meters deep.
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Social Life: Often seen swimming alone, in pairs, or in small loose groups of up to 20 individuals.
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Diet: Omnivorous grazers that feed heavily on sponges, tunicates, and benthic invertebrates
