Saltcorner
By Bob Goemans
By Bob Goemans
Likely Reef Tank Suitable
Likely Fish-Only Tank Suitable
Range: Atlantic Ocean: Caribbean, Gulf of Mexico, and eastern coast of United States.
Size: 3 inches (7 cm)
Natural Environment: Inhabits small caves and areas under ledges where is often found swimming upside down on steep outer reef areas and usually found at depths from 90 to 400 feet (27 - 120 m) where it feeds on zooplankton.
General Husbandry: Rarely seen in the trade and somewhat drab having a greyish brown body with small light spots and several greenish/yellow lines on the face.
Can be maintained in reef or fish-only aquariums having many rocky hiding places/crevices to investigate or take shelter when needing to do so, as this species is shy, and somewhat aggressive. Would prefer a dimly lit aquarium, however does adjust to brightly lit reef aquariums. Will defend its hiding place from all on-comers and will annoy small peaceful tankmates!
As to diet, products such as marine fish and crustacean flesh, clams, and other marine meaty foods/freeze-dried foods should be enriched, finely chopped and be fed two to three times daily. Flake foods are also accepted.
Adult enriched live brine shrimp and/or black worms (Lumbriculus variegatus) will also be greedily accepted.
Taxonomy:
Order: Perciformes
Suborder: Percoidei
Family: Grammatidae
Genus: Gramma
FYI: One per aquarium.
Not possible to distinguish males from females; however, the male is generally larger than the female.
Can jump out of uncovered aquariums.
May pick on/damage small shrimps.
Far more peaceful than others in this genus.
Experience Level: Intermediate
Temperament: Semi-aggressive
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: Moderately aggressive
Minimum Tank Size: 20+ gallons
Temperature Range: 68 - 79°F (20 – 26°C)
Specific Gravity: 1.020 - 1.026
pH: 8.0 - 8.5
