Moorish Idols are closely related to the surgeonfishes in the family Acanthuridae. Surgeons have typically laterally compressed oval bodies. Like parrotfishes and wrasses, they swim by means of the pectoral fins. Moorish Idols resemble butterflyfishes in appearance and behavior. But unlike the butterflyfishes, they swim largely using their pectoral fins like their relative, the surgeonfishes.
It is a unique fish, the only member of its family. It is the "classic" coral reef fish, a perfect blend of form, color and movement. It has a light yellow body, with jet-black stripes, long orange and white striped snouts and beautiful following filaments. As you can see from the photos, they have more subdued, haunting colors at night.
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