Saltcorner
By Bob Goemans
By Bob Goemans
Likely Reef Tank Suitable
Likely Fish-Only Tank Suitable
Range: Western Atlantic Ocean: Southern Florida to Venezuela, and east to St. Helena.
Size: 3 inches (8 cm)
Natural Environment: Inhabits lagoon coral heads, reef flats fore-reef slopes containing heavy coral and sponge growths and generally found at depths between 10 – 85 feet (3 – 25 m) where it feeds on small crustaceans, worms and crabs.
General Husbandry: Occasionally seen the trade and quite attractive having a whitish head and body, several brownish vertical body bands, dark brown caudal peduncle, and many red spots on the frontal body and head.
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.
Somewhat shy when first entering the aquarium, however will quickly become bolder. Should be housed with moderately aggressive tankmates.
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.
May be classified as in a new genus - Pseudocirrhites pinos.
Experience Level: Beginner
Temperament: Semi-aggressive
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: 30+ gallons
Temperature Range: 72 - 81°F (22 – 27°C)
Specific Gravity: 1.020 - 1.026
pH: 8.0 - 8.5
