Saltcorner
By Bob Goemans
By Bob Goemans
Likely Reef Tank Suitable
Likely Fish-Only Tank Suitable
Range: Indo-West Pacific Ocean: Cocos and Christmas Islands in the eastern Indian Ocean to Japan, Mariana, Marquesas, Tuamotu, and Hawaiian Islands, and south to the Great Barrier Reef.
Size: 7 inches (17 cm)
Natural Environment: Inhabits coral rich areas in lagoons and seaward reefs and usually found at depths between 10 – 50 feet (3 – 15 m) where it feeds mainly on small benthic invertebrates.
General Husbandry: Occasionally seen in the trade with males having a greenish body with red striped or checkerboard-like red markings lengthwise. Females are similarly colored, but have two black eyespots on the dorsal.
Can be maintained in reef or fish-only aquariums having a fine sand bed, (0.5 – 2.0 mm) and at least 4 inches deep, along with several rocky crevices to hunt and also open swimming areas. It will also quickly burrow into the sand bed if frightened or for sleeping at night.
Requires a meaty diet, including fortified brine shrimp, mysis, and other meaty type marine-based frozen or fresh foods, and should be fed twice daily.
Taxonomy:
Order: Perciformes
Suborder: Labroidei
Family: Labridae
Genus: Halichoeres
FYI: Upon first entering the aquarium may stay buried for days. Simply await its decision when to emerge. Once established, it will go to sleep under the sand and arise the next morning at almost the exact same time every day!
The aquarium should have small pieces of rocks for the wrasse to 'play' with in its daily search for prey.
One male per aquarium.
Experience Level: Beginner
Temperament: Peaceful
Diet: Carnivore
Coral Safe: Yes
Fish Safe: With caution
Invertebrate Safe: With caution
Acclimation Time: 30 minutes+
Aquarium Environment: Reef or fish-only aquarium
Tankmates: Peaceful
Minimum Tank Size: 60 gallons
Temperature Range: 74 - 82°F (23 – 27°C)
Specific Gravity: 1.020 - 1.026
pH: 8.0 - 8.5
