Saltcorner
By Bob Goemans
By Bob Goemans
Not Reef Tank Suitable
Likely Fish-Only Tank Suitable
Range: Indo-West Pacific Ocean: Red Sea and East Africa to Hawaii, north to Southern Japan, south to New Caledonia.
Size: 8 inches (20 cm)
Natural Environment: Inhabits shallow lagoons and seaward reefs where it sits on the branches of Pocillopora stony corals and generally is found at depths between 3 – 100 feet (1 – 30 m) where it feeds on small fishes and crustaceans.
General Husbandry: Occasionally seen in the trade and quite attractive with adults often having a whitish body and head with a black horizontal stripe on the upper rear body, along with the head dotted with numerous reddish brown spots. The upper front half of the body and head can sometimes be a purplish-brown. Colors vary greatly depending upon the age/sex of the specimen and where collected.
Should only be maintained in fish-only aquariums with larger aggressive fishes such as dottybacks, large angelfishes, surgeonfishes, and triggerfishes, as this species will eat all smaller fishes, ornamental shrimp (including cleaner shrimp), tubeworms, snails, and crabs. Its environment should contain various rocky areas where the species can perch/sit on and watch the activity of other tankmates or see where food enters the aquarium. A very feisty/aggressive species.
As to diet, 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: Paracirrhites
FYI: Will defend its preferred sitting areas, even against larger fishes.
Adults do not possess a swim bladder.
Strong pelvic fins are used as supports when perching.
One per aquarium.
Experience Level: Intermediate
Temperament: Feisty/aggressive
Diet: Carnivore
Coral Safe: Yes
Fish Safe: With caution
Invertebrate Safe: With caution
Acclimation Time: 30 minutes+
Aquarium Environment: Fish-only aquarium
Tankmates: Larger and aggressive
Minimum Tank Size: 50+ gallons
Temperature Range: 72 - 81°F (22 – 27°C)
Specific Gravity: 1.020 - 1.026
pH: 8.0 - 8.5
