Saltcorner
By Bob Goemans
By Bob Goemans
Not Reef Tank Suitable
Likely Fish-Only Tank Suitable
Range: Western Central Atlantic Ocean: Southeastern Florida and Bahamas to eastern Mexico and Curacao.
Size: 2 inches (4 cm)
Natural Environment: Inhabits deep reefs and outer walls and usually found under rocky edges at depths between 15 to 300 feet (5 – 90 m) where it feeds on zooplankton.
General Husbandry: Rarely ever seen in the trade and quite attractive with a yellowish frontal body with the area from the middle body to the caudal peduncle greenish between its yellowish scales. Three greenish blue lines appear on the head, one directly on top, one on the upper eye rearwards through the front third of the body, and a short line just under the eye.
Even though seen in shallow waters, collected specimens come from deeper water, therefore 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
