Saltcorner
By Bob Goemans
By Bob Goemans
Likely Reef Tank Suitable
Likely Fish-Only Tank Suitable
Range: Indo-West Pacific Ocean: East Africa to Mangareva, Tuamotu Islands, and the Hawaiian Islands, north to Taiwan, and throughout Micronesia.
Size: 3 inches (8 cm)
Natural Environment: Inhabits rock, coral and rubble areas on seaward reefs that are exposed to moderate surge or currents and generally found at depths between 6 – 50 feet (2 – 15 m) where it feeds on small crustaceans.
General Husbandry: Rarely in seen the trade and quite secretive in the wild, yet attractive having a whitish head and body with irregular orange blotches and a dark spot on the upper rear body and gill plate.
Can be maintained in reef or fish-only aquariums, which should contain various rocky areas where the species can take shelter if needing it, or perch/sit on and watch the activity of other tankmates or see where food enters the aquarium.
Since this species is one of the more peaceful members in this family, it should have peaceful tankmates that will allow it to get its share of the food when it enters the aquarium. If having moderately aggressive tankmates, this species might starve to death.
As to diet, finely chopped products such as marine fish and crustacean flesh, clams, and other marine meaty foods and/or frozen carnivore foods should be fed twice daily.
Taxonomy:
Order: Perciformes
Suborder: Percoidei
Family: Cirrhitidae
Genus: Amblycirrhites
FYI: Will eat small crustaceans/tubeworms.
Will defend its preferred sitting areas.
May annoy sessile invertebrates by sitting on them.
Cannot be trusted with very small fish such as Neon Gobies.
Adults do not possess a swim bladder.
Strong pelvic fins are used as supports when perching.
Experience Level: Beginner
Temperament: Peaceful
Diet: Carnivore
Coral Safe: Yes
Fish Safe: Yes
Invertebrate Safe: With caution
Acclimation Time: 30 minutes+
Aquarium Environment: Reef or fish-only aquarium
Tankmates: Peaceful
Minimum Tank Size: 30+ gallons
Temperature Range: 72 - 81°F (22 – 27°C)
Specific Gravity: 1.020 - 1.026
pH: 8.0 - 8.5
