Saltcorner
By Bob Goemans
By Bob Goemans
Likely Reef Tank Suitable
Likely Fish-Only Tank Suitable
Range: Western Indian Ocean: Sri Lanka.
Size: 3 inches (9 cm)
Natural Environment: Inhabits holes and crevices on rocky and coral reefs and is usually found at depths between 25 – 50 feet (8 – 15 m) where it feeds mainly on small crustaceans.
General Husbandry: Occasionally seen in the trade, and having two color forms – a darkish body with either a brown head or yellowish-green head. Colors vary depending upon area of collection and mating seasons.
Can be maintained in a reef or fish-only aquarium, with either having many rocky hiding places/crevices to investigate or take shelter when needing to do so, as this species is somewhat shy/secretive. Very hardy, yet can be quite aggressive towards smaller 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 chopped fresh fish or shrimp flesh, and/or frozen carnivore foods should be fed once daily.
Taxonomy:
Order: Perciformes
Suborder: Percoidei
Family: Pseudochromidae
Subfamily: Pseudochrominae
Genus: Pseudochromis
FYI: Not safe with small ornamental crustaceans.
Since they are extremely fast moving and secretive, if having to remove it from a reef aquarium with many hiding areas, it would be a major task!
One per aquarium.
Experience Level: Intermediate
Temperament: Semi-aggressive
Diet: Carnivore
Coral Safe: Yes
Fish Safe: With caution
Invertebrate Safe: With caution
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
