Saltcorner
By Bob Goemans
By Bob Goemans
Likely Reef Tank Suitable
Likely Fish-Only Tank Suitable
Range: Southwestern Indian Ocean: Mauritius, east of Madagascar.
Size: 6 inches (15 cm)
Natural Environment: Inhabits lagoons and outer reefs at depths between 3 to about 130 feet (1 – 40 m) and usually found in small groups inhabiting various anemones where it feeds mainly on planktonic crustaceans (copepods, mysis, and shrimp larvae), and algae.
General Husbandry: Very rarely seen in the trade, yet quite hardy, peaceful and an excellent tankmate for most peaceful aquariums. Has a darkish brown head and body with three white bands, with the third band on the caudal peduncle. Has yellow pectoral and pelvic fins, with the dorsal, anal and tail dark brown.
Best maintained in aquaria having live rock, hiding places, macroalgae, peaceful tankmates, and with or without a hosting anemone. And should a hosting anemone be offered, this species becomes somewhat aggressive to species in other families, as it is protecting its home.
As to diet, will eat most regular aquarium foods, e.g., live fortified brine shrimp and/or finely chopped various frozen or fresh meaty foods such as mysis, squid, fish flesh, shrimp, clam, etc., and plant material, e.g., flake foods, especially those containing Spirulina and should be offered once or twice daily.
Taxonomy:
Order: Perciformes
Suborder: Labroidei
Family: Pomacentridae
Subfamily: Amphiprioninae
Genus: Amphiprion
FYI: In the wild, its hosting anemones are: Heteractis auora, Heteractis magnifica, Macrodactyla doreensis, Stichodactyla haddoni and Stichodactyla mertensii.
If maintained with a hosting anemone, aquarium size should be >50 gallons.
Females are larger than males.
If the female is removed, the male will change sex and one of the juveniles will become the new functioning male.
May quarrel with other species in this family.
A member of the Clarkii Complex.
Experience Level: Intermediate
Temperament: Peaceful
Diet: Omnivore
Coral Safe: Yes
Invertebrate Safe: With caution
Acclimation Time: 30 minutes+
Aquarium Environment: Reef or fish-only aquarium
Tankmates: Peaceful
Minimum Tank Size: 50 gallons
Temperature Range: 74 - 82°F (23 – 27°C)
Specific Gravity: 1.020 - 1.026
pH: 8.0 - 8.5
