Saltcorner
By Bob Goemans
By Bob Goemans
Likely Reef Tank Suitable
Likely Fish-Only Tank Suitable
Range: Indian Ocean: Red Sea.
Size: 4 inches (9 cm)
Natural Environment: Inhabits caves in silty reef areas and is usually found between depths of 15 to 200 feet (5 – 60 m) where it feeds on small worms and crustaceans/zooplankton.
General Husbandry: Rarely ever seen in the trade due to its limited collection area. This attractive species has a greyish body with a central horizontal black band from the snout to the caudal peduncle, which also has a white band above and below. There is also a darkish yellow band just below the lower white band, with yellow on the caudal peduncle and tail.
Can be maintained in reef or fish-only aquariums having some rocky hiding places/crevices to take shelter, as this species is secretive and also somewhat aggressive. Tankmates should be moderately aggressive as this species cannot be trusted with smaller peaceful fishes.
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: 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!.
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: Moderately aggressive/aggressive
Minimum Tank Size: 30+ gallons
Temperature Range: 72 - 81°F (22 – 27°C)
Specific Gravity: 1.020 - 1.026
pH: 8.0 - 8.5
