Animal Species:Moorish Idol, Zanclus cornutus (Linnaeus, 1758)

The Moorish Idol is a beautiful tropical species that has a has a very long, white dorsal fin. The species is commonly seen by divers in the tropics but also occasionally in temperate waters.

Standard Common Name

Moorish Idol


The Moorish Idol has a very long, white, sickle-shaped dorsal fin, two broad black bars on the body, and a yellow saddle across the snout. There is a small, bony projection in front of both eyes of adults. The projections are larger in males.

The genus name Zanclus comes from the Greek word for "sickle" and refers to the sickle-shaped dorsal fin. The species name cornutus is from the Latin word for "horn", and presumably refers to the bumps over the eyes of adults.

The Moorish Idol is the only species in the family Zanclidae.

Size range

The species grows to 24 cm in length.


This species has a widespread Indo-Pacific distribution in tropical and some temperate waters. In Australia it is known from the central Western Australian coast, around the tropical north and south to southern New South Wales. It can be found from the shallows to depths in excess of 180 m.


Zanclus cornutus

Distribution by collection data

Ozcam map of Moorish Idol specimens in Australian Museums.

What does this mean?

Feeding and Diet

It uses its long snout to feed on coralline algae and sponges in cracks and crevices.

Other behaviours and adaptations

It is sometimes seen as a single individual, but often forms pairs and occasionally larger schools.



What does this mean?



Mark McGrouther , Collection Manager, Ichthyology
Last Updated:

Tags fishes, ichthyology, Moorish Idol, Zanclus cornutus, Zanclidae, black, white, yellow, odd-shaped, 10 cm - 30 cm, striped or bands, coral reef, marine, adult, long snout,