Moorish Idol
Zanclus cornutus
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Chordata
- Class
- Actinopterygii
- Order
- Acanthuriformes
- Family
- Zanclidae
- Genus
- Zanclus
- Species
- Zanclus cornutus
The Moorish idol (Zanclus cornutus) is a black, white and yellow reef fish with a long, trailing dorsal fin. It is the only member of its family.
It grows to about 20 cm and feeds mainly on sponges, using its long snout to reach into crevices. It is often seen in pairs or small groups.
In the Philippines it is common on reefs at all depths.
Photo: Natalie Lemanski, CC BY-SA 4.0, via iNaturalist