Saltcorner
By Bob Goemans
By Bob Goemans
Likely Reef Tank Suitable
Likely Fish-Only Tank Suitable
Range: Indian Ocean: Pemba Island, Tanzania to Djibouti, and west Sumatra and Indonesia.
Size: 3 inches (8 cm)
Natural Environment: Inhabits crevices in seaward reefs and is found at depths between 25 – 150 feet (8 – 45 m) where it feeds mainly on small crustaceans.
General Husbandry: Rarely ever seen in the trade, having light brownish body with several small white horizontal lines from the head to just short of the caudal peduncle.
Can be maintained in a reef or fish-only aquarium, with either having many rocky hiding places/crevices to investigate or take shelter, as most in this family are quite shy/secretive. May hide for several days upon entering the aquarium, yet will become bolder when hungry and then make an appearance, especially at feeding time. However, may never become a more outgoing/social tankmate, i.e., swimming in the open with other tankmates.
As to diet, products such as marine fish and crustacean flesh, clams, and other marine meaty foods should make up the majority of their diet. Therefore a meaty diet such as enriched finely chopped fresh fish or shrimp flesh, and/or frozen carnivore foods should be fed every other day, or about three times per week in well-established aquariums. In newly established aquariums, feed once every day.
Taxonomy:
Order: Perciformes
Suborder: Percoidei
Family: Serranidae
Subfamily: Liopropomatinae
Genus: Liopropoma
FYI: Not safe with small ornamental crustaceans.
Prefers to hide in caves and may be seen more often if maintained in a dimly lit tank.
Reported as very sensitive to poor water quality, and dinoflagellate and protozoan infections.
Experience Level: Intermediate
Temperament: Peaceful
Diet: Carnivore
Coral Safe: Yes
Fish Safe: With caution
Invertebrate Safe: With caution/will eat small crustaceans
Acclimation Time: 30 minutes+
Aquarium Environment: Reef or fish-only aquarium
Tankmates: Peaceful
Minimum Tank Size: 30+ gallons
Temperature Range: 72 - 81°F (22 – 27°C)
Specific Gravity: 1.020 - 1.026
pH: 8.0 - 8.5
