Saltcorner
By Bob Goemans
By Bob Goemans
Not Reef Tank Suitable
Likely Fish-Only Tank Suitable
Range: Western Central Atlantic Ocean: Bahamas, and Central America to northern South America.
Size: 2 inches (4 cm)
Natural Environment: Inhabits deep recesses on seaward reefs and usually found at depths between 150 to 460 feet (45 – 140 m) where it feeds on zooplankton.
General Husbandry: Rarely ever seen in the trade and very expensive when so, as it usually over a thousand dollars per specimen! Quite attractive with the front third of the body a bright purple, and the remaining body yellow.
Best maintained in a dimly lit fish-only aquarium having many rocky hiding places/crevices to investigate or take shelter when needing to do so, as this species is shy and quite secretive.
May continue to mostly hide, yet will leave to feed. Even then, due to its shyness, may starve to death if the aquarium has aggressive tankmates. Will never become a more outgoing/social tankmate, i.e., swimming in the open with other tankmates, as it will always stay close to its hiding area. Must have 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 will also be accepted.
Taxonomy:
Order: Perciformes
Suborder: Percoidei
Family: Grammatidae
Genus: Lipogramma
FYI: A very poor shipper!
Experience Level: Intermediate
Temperament: Peaceful
Diet: Carnivore
Coral Safe: Yes
Fish Safe: Yes
Invertebrate Safe: Yes
Acclimation Time: 30 minutes+
Aquarium Environment: Fish-only aquarium
Tankmates: Peaceful
Minimum Tank Size: 10+ gallons
Temperature Range: 72 - 81°F (22 – 27°C)
Specific Gravity: 1.020 - 1.026
pH: 8.0 - 8.5
