Saltcorner
By Bob Goemans
By Bob Goemans
Likely Reef Tank Suitable
Likely Fish-Only Tank Suitable
Range: Indo-West Pacific Ocean
Size: 8 inches (20 cm)
Natural Environment: Inhabits shallow rocky reefs.
General Husbandry: Rarely seen in the home aquarium trade.
Best maintained in well-aged aquariums having various live rock formations containing algae films/organic films and/or collections of detritus. May also consume small invertebrate.
Since they are basically herbivorous and detritus feeders, occasional feedings with algae pellets may prove beneficial. Occasional feedings of small pieces of fish or mussel flesh is also recommended.
Taxonomy:
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Echinodermata
Class: Asteroidea
Order: Valvatida
Family: Ophidiasteridae
Genus: Nardoa
FYI: Vulnerable to sudden salinity/specific gravity changes.
May consume the small pest Fiji stars.
Experience Level: Intermediate
Diet: Omnivore
Aquarium Environment: Reef or fish-only aquarium
Coral Safe: Yes
Fish Safe: Yes
Invertebrate Safe: Yes
Acclimation Time: Sensitive to specific gravity/salinity changes, therefore be sure to adjust the bag's water to that of the aquarium in which it will be placed by slowly adding small amounts of aquarium water to the bag every few minutes. In most cases, this process should take at least 15 minutes.
Aquarium Hardiness: Moderate
Temperature Range: 72 - 83°F (22 - 28°C)
Minimum Tank Size: 75 gallons
Specific Gravity: 1.023 - 1.025
pH: 8.0 - 8.4
