Moorish Idol
Zanclus cornutus
Sighting evidence at Blue Cave Amami Oshima, Amami Islands
Photo: David R · CC BY-NC
Moorish idols congregate around the cave entrance in small groups, feeding on the encrusting organisms that coat the rock walls. They are strongly associated with structured reef habitat and use the cave's sheltered walls as a refuge from current. Their bold black and white banding serves as a visual signal for group cohesion in the dim interior light.
Evidence at this site
No confirmed records on file at this site
Moorish Idol is listed as a curated species here based on historical reports.