Saltcorner
By Bob Goemans
By Bob Goemans
Not Reef Tank Suitable
Likely Fish-Only Tank Suitable
Range: Western Atlantic Ocean: Florida, Bermuda, Bahamas to northern South America.
Size: 24 inches (60 cm)
Natural Environment: Inhabits inner and outer reef areas and usually found at depths between 10 – 85 feet (3– 25 m) where it feeds mainly on algae.
General Husbandry: Colors vary between sexes and its stage of growth (phase). Rarely seen in the trade, yet not suitable for almost all home aquariums because they simply get too large and their diet of solely ‘green’ matter is quite difficult to adequately supply.
Nevertheless, should be maintained in a large fish-only aquariums, possibly having excesses of algae, and have wide-open swimming areas. Best maintained with peaceful tankmates.
As to diet, these are herbivores, and plaster of Paris stones that contain seaweed and algae are useful for providing the grazing effect, and also sheets of dry algae, live macroalgae, and various prepared foods containing algae, especially Spirulina and should be available throughout the day or at least fed several times daily.
Taxonomy:
Order: Perciformes
Suborder: Labroidei
Family: Scaridae
Subfamily: Scarinae
Genus: Scarus
FYI: Rarely live for lengthy periods in captivity.
Often a public aquarium species.
Experience Level: Intermediate
Temperament: Peaceful
Diet: Herbivore
Coral Safe: No
Fish Safe: Yes
Invertebrate Safe: Yes
Acclimation Time: 30 minutes+
Aquarium Environment: Fish-only aquarium
Tankmates: Peaceful
Minimum Tank Size: 300+ gallons
Temperature Range: 74 - 82°F (23 – 28°C)
Specific Gravity: 1.020 - 1.026
pH: 8.0 - 8.5
