Saltcorner
By Bob Goemans
By Bob Goemans
Likely Reef Tank Suitable
Likely Fish-Only Tank Suitable
Range: Indo-West Pacific Ocean: Seychelles, Maldives, Andaman Sea, Philippines, south to Palau and Line Islands.
Size: 16 inches (40 cm)
Natural Environment: Inhabits outer reef slopes near drop-offs and usually found at depths between 10 - 100 feet (3 - 30 m) where it feeds mainly on algae.
General Husbandry: Occasionally seen in the trade having a laterally compressed body and a small mouth, such as angelfishes and butterflyfishes and having greyish brown body with a white chin.
Can be maintained in reef or fish-only aquariums having wide-open swimming areas and 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.
Can be somewhat aggressive if maintained in an aquarium too small for its size.
Experience Level: Expert
Temperament: Feisty
Diet: Herbivore
Coral Safe: Yes
Fish Safe: Yes
Invertebrate Safe: Yes
Acclimation Time: 30 minutes+
Aquarium Environment: Reef or fish-only aquarium
Tankmates: Moderately aggressive
Minimum Tank Size: 250 gallons
Temperature Range: 72 - 82°F (22 - 27°C)
Specific Gravity: 1.020 - 1.025
pH: 8.0 - 8.5
