Saltcorner
By Bob Goemans
By Bob Goemans
Likely Reef Tank Suitable
Likely Fish-Only Tank Suitable
Range: Western Indian Ocean: East Africa between Kenya and Durban.
Size: 5 inches (14 cm)
Natural Environment: Inhabits lagoons and outer reefs at depths between 3 to about 100 feet (1 – 30 m) and usually found in small groups inhabiting various anemones where it feeds mainly on planktonic crustaceans (copepods, mysis, and shrimp larvae), and algae.
General Husbandry: Rarely seen in the trade, yet quite hardy, peaceful and an excellent tankmate for most peaceful aquariums. Has a dark brown body and head with its lower areas yellow, yellow dorsal, pelvic, pectoral, and anal fins, and the caudal peduncle and tail white.
Best maintained in aquaria having live rock, hiding places, macroalgae, peaceful tankmates, and with or without a hosting anemone. And should a hosting anemone be offered, this species becomes somewhat aggressive to species in other families, as it is protecting its home.
As to diet, will eat most regular aquarium foods, e.g., live fortified brine shrimp and/or finely chopped various frozen or fresh meaty foods such as mysis, squid, fish flesh, shrimp, clam, etc., and plant material, e.g., flake foods, especially those containing Spirulina and should be offered once or twice daily.
Taxonomy:
Order: Perciformes
Suborder: Labroidei
Family: Pomacentridae
Subfamily: Amphiprioninae
Genus: Amphiprion
FYI: In the wild, its hosting anemones are: Heteractis auora, Entacmaea quadricolor, and Stichodactyla mertensii.
If maintained with a hosting anemone, aquarium size should be >50 gallons.
Does well in aquariums without a hosting anemone.
Females are larger than males.
If the female is removed, the male will change sex and one of the juveniles will become the new functioning male.
May pick on smaller peaceful tankmates introduced after them.
Keep only one or in mated pairs.
A member of the Clarkii Complex.
Captive bred specimens available and are far hardier than wild caught specimens.
Experience Level: Beginner
Temperament: Peaceful
Diet: Omnivore
Coral Safe: Yes
Invertebrate Safe: With caution
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
