Saltcorner
By Bob Goemans
By Bob Goemans
Not Reef Tank Suitable
Likely Fish-Only Tank Suitable
Range: Indo-West Pacific Ocean: East Africa south to Durban South Africa, east to Panama, north to Southern Japan, south to Lord Howe and Easter and also the eastern Pacific Ocean in Guaymas Mexico to Ecuador.
Size: 20 inches (50 cm)
Natural Environment: Inhabits coral rich lagoons and seaward reefs and usually found at depths between 3 to 200 feet (1 - 60 m) where it feeds on benthic invertebrate.
General Husbandry: Occasionally seen in the trade, with its coloration depending upon its stage in life - black phase is deep blue to black/greyish with white spots - mottled phase has patches of yellow and/or patches of black and white and black - and third phase is almost completely yellow with white on the belly. Lacks pelvic fins, but uses the pectoral fins for movement.
Best maintained in fish-only aquariums with wide-open swimming areas, peaceful tankmates, and tankmates too large to be eaten. Provide a large cave to hide in when needed.
Should not be housed with aggressive or fin-nipping fishes, such as groupers, dottybacks, triggerfishes or angelfishes, as this is a slow moving species.
Requires a varied diet, i.e., chunky chopped fish or shrimp flesh, krill, clams, squid, and/or carnivore frozen foods, along with some vegetable matter. Leave the hard shells on shrimp that are fed, as this may help wear down its teeth. Should have numerous daily feedings.
Taxonomy:
Order: Tetraodontiformes
Suborder: Tetraodontoidei
Family: Tetraodontidae
Subfamily: Tetraodontinae
Genus: Arothron
FYI: Will eat smaller fishes, ornamental shrimp, crabs, snails, urchins, sea stars, sponges, clams including tridacnid clams, and tubeworms.
Will nip the fins of slow moving tankmates.
May graze upon coralline algae and eat stony corals.
When threatened, will puff up by taking in air and water and become balloon-like to deter predators.
The bodies of Pufferfish are covered in a toxic mucus (tetrodotoxin), a powerful poison to ward off would-be predators.
If the skin or flesh is consumed by humans, it can be fatal.
Probably will need to be dewormed and have its teeth filed to prevent overgrowth.
Experience Level: Intermediate
Temperament: Peaceful
Diet: Carnivore
Coral Safe: No
Fish Safe: No
Invertebrate Safe: No
Acclimation Time: 30 minutes+
Aquarium Environment: Fish-only aquarium
Tankmates: Peaceful, and larger
Minimum Tank Size: 180 gallons
Temperature Range: 72 - 82°F (22 - 27°C)
Specific Gravity: 1.020 - 1.026
pH: 8.0 - 8.5
