Saltcorner
By Bob Goemans
By Bob Goemans
Not Reef Tank Suitable
Likely Fish-Only Tank Suitable
Range: Indo-West Pacific Ocean: Southern Japan to Australia.
Size: 18 inches (45 cm)
Natural Environment: Inhabits coastal lagoons with juveniles found in mangrove/brackish waters and adults under overhangs on steep reef slopes and often found at depths between 50 – 100 feet (15 – 30 m) where it feeds on zooplankton, small fishes, jellyfish, worms, and other small invertebrate.
General Husbandry: Occasionally seen in the trade. Best maintained in a large fish-only aquarium with wide-open swimming areas and with peaceful, i.e., tankmates that are not fin nippers, as this is a slow moving species. Yet slow smaller fishes are at risk of being eaten.
As to diet, requires a meaty diet and will accept all kinds of meaty food stuffs whether its flake foods, frozen or freeze-dried, or freshly chopped fish and shrimp flesh, and should be fed two or three times daily.
Taxonomy:
Order: Perciformes
Suborder: Acanthuroidei
Family: Ephippidae
Genus: Platax
FYI: A small four-inch tall specimen can out grow a 75 gallon aquarium in one year!
Fond of earthworms.
Since it consumes large amounts of food, it's a major waste producer, therefore additional filtration is highly recommended.
Purchase the smallest individuals possible, as they will give you the best chance at long-term survival.
A secretive species in the wild and difficult to maintain long term.
Experience Level: Intermediate
Temperament: Peaceful
Diet: Carnivore
Coral Safe: Yes
Fish Safe: No
Invertebrate Safe: With caution
Acclimation Time: 30 minutes+
Aquarium Environment: Fish-only aquarium
Tankmates: Peaceful
Minimum Tank Size: 250 gallons
Temperature Range: 72 - 80°F (22 – 27°C)
Specific Gravity: 1.020 - 1.026
pH: 8.0 - 8.5
