Saltcorner
By Bob Goemans
By Bob Goemans
Likely Reef Tank Suitable
Likely Fish-Only Tank Suitable
Range: Central Pacific Ocean: Palau.
Size: 4 inches - 10 cm
Natural Environment: Inhabits sandy and rubble areas at the bases of steep protected seaward reefs and usually found at depths between 200 – 300 feet (60– 90 m) where it feeds on zooplankton.
General Husbandry: Rarely seen in the trade as this is a deep-water species and often quite expensive. The male generally has a whitish pink body with several red horizontal lines and a yellow patch behind the eyes and the females are similar in color, yet lack the yellow patch.
Best maintained in a dimly lit fish-only aquarium, yet can be maintained in a reef aquarium if given numerous rocky caves and hiding areas.
As to diet, will eat most regular aquarium foods, e.g., finely chopped various frozen or fresh meaty foods such as mysis, squid, fish flesh, shrimp, clam, etc., and should be offered two to three times daily.
Taxonomy:
Order: Perciformes
Suborder: Labroidei
Family: Labridae
Genus: Cirrhilabrus
FYI: Those in this genus may hide for several days when first introduced, and are also good jumpers, therefore covered aquariums, possibly with eggcrate, are necessary to prevent them from jumping out of the aquarium.
They don't bury themselves in the sand at night, as do many other wrasses. Instead, they may form a mucus cocoon similar to some parrotfishes and/or wedge themselves into a rock crevice. It should be noted the cocoon remnants do not seem to harm water quality or other aquarium inhabitants.
Experience Level: Intermediate
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: 30 gallons
Temperature Range: 74 - 82°F (23 – 27°C)
Specific Gravity: 1.020 - 1.026
pH: 8.0 - 8.5
