Saltcorner
By Bob Goemans
By Bob Goemans
Not Reef Tank Suitable
Likely Fish-Only Tank Suitable
Range: Western Indian Ocean: South Africa, between Kosi Bay and Aliwal Shoal, Mozambique
Size: 10 inches (25 cm)
Natural Environment: Inhabits offshore rocky reefs at depths between 35 to 150 feet (10 – 45 m) and has a natural diet of sponges, tunicates, and crustaceans.
General Husbandry: This is quite a pretty species and would be a rare find in the hobby, as it comes from a small geographic area. Furthermore, it generally exits in a marine protected area, making it overall extremely difficult to collect.
It has a partly white body with its upper half yellow that contains numerous vertical black irregular lines. Juveniles appear to have a large black spot circled in yellow on the dark portion of the upper aft body. That appears to be lacking on adults, which have a small dark spot aft of the eyes/gill plate, and both have a black tail edged in white.
Not much is known about its aquarium care, yet should be similar to others in this genus, e.g., when first introduced into the aquarium, preferably a well-established fish-only aquarium with lots of live rock and cave areas, it should be offered several daily feedings so as to quickly acclimate to its surroundings. As to diet, a wide variety of frozen foods including fortified brine shrimp, mysis, and especially those containing sponge matter/angelfish food preparations should be offered once or twice daily once acclimated. Some frozen or flake foods, especially those containing Spirulina should also be offered, as algae, especially Spirulina is a healthy addition to all that consume it.
Depending upon its tankmates, it would no doubt be quite shy when first entering the aquarium, and may hide in caves and crevices. But as time passes, it should become more outgoing and begin to establish its territory. Those in this genus are almost always very good tankmates and considered one of the least aggressive in the family.
Taxonomy:
Order: Perciformes
Suborder: Percoidei
Family: Pomacanthidae
Genus: Apolemichthys
FYI: Keeping more than one genus of angelfishes in the same aquarium is possible, yet depends upon several aspects. The following suggested circumstances are just that, possibilities that when heeded and adjusted to actual aquarium conditions ‘may’ make multiple angelfish collections feasible.
Aquarium size – the larger the better.
Other species from the same genus should not be in the same aquarium.
The smallest and most docile genus species should be the first introduced with the largest and most malicious the last to be added.
Do not place similar coloration species in the same aquarium.
Those already in the aquarium should be well fed before adding a newcomer.
Have sufficient hiding places/rocky caves.
Keep in mind all angels have cheekspines at the edge of their gill cover; therefore use caution when handling and also avoid using a net to capture it, as it may become stuck or tangled in the net and become damaged when removed.
Experience Level: Intermediate
Temperament: Semi-aggressive
Diet: Omnivore
Acclimation Time: 30 minutes+
Aquarium Environment: Fish-only aquarium
Reef Safe: No - will nip clam mantles, large and small polyped stony (LPS/SPS) corals and some soft corals.
Minimum Tank Size: 150 gallons
Temperature Range: 72 - 82°F (22 – 28°C).
Specific Gravity: 1.020-1.027
pH: 8.0 - 8.5
