Saltcorner
By Bob Goemans
By Bob Goemans
Not Reef Tank Suitable
Likely Fish-Only Tank Suitable
Range: Indo-Pacific Ocean: Red Sea and East Africa to Southern Japan and south to Lord Howe Island.
Size: 14 inches (35 cm)
Natural Environment: Inhabits muddy lagoons, seagrass beds, and seaward sandy slopes at depths between 10 - 1100 feet (3 – 350 m) in small groups and mainly feeds on benthic invertebrates and small fishes.
General Husbandry: Quite attractive, yet rarely seen in the trade. Adults have a blotchy red body, whereas juveniles are light pink to silver and all have a dark red spot on the mid body.
Best maintained in very large fish-only aquariums with wide-open swimming and unencumbered substrate areas and with several areas to hide, as this is a shy species. As to diet, feed a wide variety of frozen and fresh meaty foodstuffs (chopped squid, scallops, fish flesh, shrimp, clam, etc.) at least several times daily. Will also consume any ornamental crustaceans and small fishes in the aquarium.
Live glass/ghost shrimp, live black worms (Lumbriculus variegatus), and sinking shrimp pellets are also welcomed foodstuffs.
Taxonomy:
Order: Perciformes
Suborder: Percoidei
Family: Mullidae
Genus: Parupeneus
FYI: Can jump out of uncovered aquariums.
Experience Level: Intermediate
Temperament: Peaceful
Diet: Carnivore
Coral Safe: Yes
Invertebrate Safe: No
Fish Safe: With caution
Acclimation Time: 30 minutes+
Aquarium Environment: Fish-only aquarium
Tankmates: Peaceful or non-aggressive
Minimum Tank Size: 150+ gallons
Temperature Range: 68 - 79°F (20 – 26°C)
Specific Gravity: 1.020 -1.026
pH: 8.0 - 8.5
