Saltcorner
By Bob Goemans
By Bob Goemans
Likely Reef Tank Suitable
Likely Fish-Only Tank Suitable
Range: Indo-West Pacific Ocean: Red Sea to Eniwetok Atoll of Japan and south to Mauritius.
Size: 10 inches (25 cm)
Natural Environment: Lives singly in rocky crevices and on sandy/gravel bottom areas.
General Husbandry: Needs a deep bed of sand, >4 inches (10 cm) and strong lighting, along with one feeding per week of chopped fish flesh and/or shrimp meat.
One of the most easily recognized anemones because of its beadlike swellings on its tentacles, which are about 2 inches (5 cm) long).
There are relatively few tentacles when compared to other species in this genus, and most of its disc is exposed and its surface often has white radiating lines and its tentacles can be greenish, brownish, creamy or purplish with light colored spots. Its column is sometimes pale, often with orange or red mottling nearer its foot area.
When disturbed, retracts fully into the substrate, where it's attached to a hard surface.
Taxonomy:
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Cnidaria
Class: Anthozoa
Order: Actiniaria
Family: Stichodactylidae
Genus: Heteractis
FYI: Does fairly well in captivity and is reported to host seven different Anemonefishes in the wild - A. clarki, A. allardi, A. tricinctus, A. chrysopterus, A. akindynos, A. bicinctus, and A. chrysogaster.
Experience Level: Intermediate
Diet: Photosynthetic/Carnivore
Temperament: Semi-aggressive
Aquarium Environment: Reef or fish-only aquarium
Coral Safe: With caution
Fish Safe: Yes
Invertebrate Safe: Yes
Acclimation Time: 30 minutes+
Aquarium Hardiness: Difficult
Calcium (Ca): 380 - 430 mg/l
Alkalinity: 2.5 - 3.0 meq/l
Phosphate (PO4): <0.05 mg/l
Magnesium (Mg): approx. 1350 mg/l (relate to specific gravity)
Temperature Range: 72 - 79°F (22 - 26°C)
Minimum Tank Size: 75 gallons
Lighting: PAR 300 - 450
Water Movement: WM 2
Specific Gravity: 1.023 - 1.025
pH: 8.0 - 8.4
Iodine/Trace Elements: Monitor/as necessary to maintain quality seawater.
