Saltcorner
By Bob Goemans
By Bob Goemans
Likely Reef Tank Suitable
Likely Fish-Only Tank Suitable
Range: Indo-West Pacific Ocean: East Africa to Hawaiian and Society Islands, north to Southern Japan, and south to Lord Howe Island.
Size: 18 inches (45 cm)
Natural Environment: Inhabits outer lagoon areas and seaward reefs and usually found at depths between 6 - 50 feet (2 - 15 m) where it feeds mainly on algal film covering the sand.
General Husbandry: Rare in the trade having a laterally compressed body and a small mouth, such as angelfishes and butterflyfishes, with a bluish grey body with numerous yellowish brown spots which tend to form irregular lengthwise lines. Also has a yellow spot behind the eyes and a white bar on the caudal peduncle.
Can be maintained in reef or fish-only aquariums having wide-open swimming areas and somewhat turbulent, well-oxygenated water flow.
Requires a varied vegetable diet, including fresh macroalgae, Spirulina, zucchini, broccoli, dried seaweed (Nori), and enriched vegetable flakes, and requires two or three feedings per day. Will browse on filamentous and microalgae.
Taxonomy:
Order: Perciformes
Suborder: Acanthuroidei
Family: Acanthuridae
Genus: Acanthurus
FYI: One per tank and a constant grazer.
Has a sharp forward pointing spine on each side of the caudal peduncle, which folds into a groove. Erected when excited. Handle with care!
Should have peaceful, none fin-nipping tankmates.
Can be quite aggressive towards others in the family.
Experience Level: Beginner
Diet: Photosynthetic/Carnivore
Aquarium Environment: Reef aquarium or fish-only aquarium
Calcium (Ca): 380 - 430 mg/l
Alkalinity: 2.5 - 3.0 meq/l,
Phosphate (PO4): <0.05 mg/l
Magnesium (Mg): approx. 1350 mg/l (relate to specific gravity)
Temperature Range: 72 - 82°F (22 - 27°C).
Lighting: Moderate to Strong (PAR 500+)
Water Movement: Slow to Moderate (2)
Specific Gravity: 1.023 - 1.026
pH: 8.0 - 8.5
