Saltcorner
By Bob Goemans
By Bob Goemans
Likely Reef Tank Suitable
Likely Fish-Only Tank Suitable
Range: Western Atlantic Ocean: Bermuda to Brazil.
Size: 5 inches (12 cm)
Natural Environment: Inhabits shallow reef areas and generally found in crevices and under rocks.
General Husbandry: Rarely seen in the trade.
Best maintained in aquaria with live rock caves where it can hide during daylight hours and since this is a scavenger, its best not placed in new systems.
During evening hours will search the substrates for organic matter.
A valuable member of a cleanup crew, as it will forge for uneaten foods. Nevertheless, to be sure its getting the nutrition needed, placing several shrimp pellets in dark corners of the aquarium in early evening hours a couple of times monthly may help lengthen its lifespan.
Note: For a photo of this species, see Baensch Marine Atlas Vol. 3, ISBN #1-890087-20-3, page 1045.
Taxonomy:
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Echinodermata
Class: Ophiuroidea
Order: Ophiurida
Family: Ophiomyxidae
Genus: Ophiomyxa
FYI: Usually a dark green or yellowish-brown with bands of yellow/brown along the arms. Sometimes orange/brown combinations or even a bright yellow color depending upon its natural environmental conditions. A good consumer of meaty leftovers in the aquarium.
Sudden changes in salinity may have a drastic result, therefore acclimate as noted below.
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: 68 - 79°F (20 - 26°C)
Minimum Tank Size: 100 gallons
Specific Gravity: 1.023 - 1.025
pH: 8.0 - 8.4
