Saltcorner
By Bob Goemans
By Bob Goemans
Not Reef Tank Suitable
Not Suitable for Fish-Only Tank
Range: Western Indian Ocean: Andaman Islands, Reunion, Mauritius and the Comoros Islands.
Size: 30 inches (75 cm)
Natural Environment: Burrows into sandy areas on deep rocky reefs and is found at depths between 550 to 750 feet (167 – 230 m) and feeds on zooplankton.
General Husbandry: Quite drab, having an overall creamy coloration with tiny dark spots. Not collected for the trade.
Taxonomy:
Order: Anguilliformes
Suborder: Congroidei
Family: Congridae
Subfamily: Heterocongrinae
Genus: Gorgasia
FYI: Those in this genus are termed ‘Garden Eels’ and reside buried in the sand or mud with only their upper length/head showing while awaiting a tasty meal to come close enough to be captured and eaten without going too far their burrow. They require at a minimum, for the shortest species, very deep fine sandbeds, e.g., 8 inches (20 cm), more if a large species, and tankmates large enough not to be eaten.
Best displayed in tall ‘special species’ type aquariums/public aquarium displays.
Minimum decor is ideal, as they prefer wide-open areas to see incoming food possibilities, and to be maintained in small groups/colonies.
Basically unsuitable for the average home reef or fish-only aquarium as they require very deep substrates to encompass their entire body.
Shown here for identification only.
