Saltcorner
By Bob Goemans
By Bob Goemans
Likely Reef Tank Suitable
Likely Fish-Only Tank Suitable
Range: Eastern Atlantic Ocean: Ascension Island and Gulf of Guinea Islands, also the Western Atlantic Ocean: Bermuda, Florida, Gulf of Mexico, Caribbean, and south to Sao Paulo, Brazil.
Size: 12 inches (30 cm)
Natural Environment: Inhabits reef areas in waters 30 to 200 feet (10 – 60 m) deep and spends its time above reef formations where it feeds on zooplankton.
General Husbandry: Rarely seen in the trade, having a reddish brown body that is somewhat paler towards the tail, and with several black dots on the upper mid body. Dorsal and upper and lower tailfin lobes are bluish black.
Can be maintained in somewhat large reef or fish-only aquariums with wide-open swimming areas. Will pester smaller docile tankmates.
As to diet, these are carnivores and require products such as marine fish and crustacean flesh, clams, and other marine meaty foods, which should make up the majority of their diet. Therefore a meaty diet such as enriched chopped fresh fish or shrimp flesh, and/or frozen carnivore foods should be fed two to three times daily. Will also accept flake foods.
Taxonomy:
Order: Perciformes
Suborder: Percoidei
Family: Serranidae
Subfamily: Epinephelinae
Genus: Paranthias
FYI: Baitfish in local areas.
Can be kept singly, or in small groups if the aquarium is large enough.
Experience Level: Intermediate
Temperament: Feisty
Diet: Carnivore
Coral Safe: Yes
Fish Safe: With caution
Invertebrate Safe: With caution
Acclimation Time: 30 minutes+
Aquarium Environment: Reef or fish-only aquarium
Tankmates: Moderately aggressive
Minimum Tank Size: 100+ gallons
Temperature Range: 72 - 81°F (22 – 27°C)
Specific Gravity: 1.020 - 1.026
pH: 8.0 - 8.5
