Saltcorner
By Bob Goemans
By Bob Goemans
Likely Reef Tank Suitable
Likely Fish-Only Tank Suitable
Range: Indo-West Pacific Ocean: Mauritius to the Philippines and Bali, Indonesia to the Solomon Islands, north to Japan and south to the Great Barrier Reef.
Size: 5 inches (12 cm)
Natural Environment: Inhabits outer reef slopes where they form small groups and are usually found at depths between 30 to about 100 feet (10 – 30 m) where it feeds on zooplankton.
General Husbandry: Occasionally seen in the trade, and quite attractive. Males have a bright purple body with a dark spot on the aft dorsal fin and some yellow on the throat area. Females have a yellow stripe down the back and yellow on the upper and lower tail lobes.
One of the more problematic species in this family diet-wise to maintain. Best maintained in aquaria with some rocky caves and strong water movement that has a large unencumbered area for schooling, which will occur in the upper third of this area. Tankmates should be peaceful and all should be last to enter the aquarium.
As to diet, difficult to get feeding, and fortified live adult brine shrimp may be necessary until they accept other types of aquarium foods, e.g., frozen foods and fresh marine fish and invertebrate flesh. Once accepting regular aquarium foods, those foods should be finely chopped and be offered at least twice daily, and dispensed upstream so water currents carry food to their location.
Taxonomy:
Order: Perciformes
Suborder: Percoidei
Family: Serranidae
Subfamily: Anthiinae
Genus: Pseudanthias
FYI: Best maintained with one male and at least five females.
Can jump out of the aquarium, therefore some sort of cover may be necessary.
Difficult to maintain long-term.
Experience Level: Intermediate/Professional
Temperament: Peaceful
Diet: Carnivore
Coral Safe: Yes
Fish Safe: Yes
Invertebrate Safe: Yes
Acclimation Time: 30 minutes+
Aquarium Environment: Reef or fish-only aquarium
Tankmates: Peaceful
Minimum Tank Size: 150 gallons
Temperature Range: 72 - 80°F (22 – 27°C)
Specific Gravity: 1.020 - 1.026
pH: 8.0 - 8.5
