Saltcorner
By Bob Goemans
By Bob Goemans
Not Reef Tank Suitable
Likely Fish-Only Tank Suitable
Range: Western Atlantic Ocean: New York to northern South America.
Size: 3 inches (8 cm)
Natural Environment: Inhabits algae covered boulders and usually found between depths of 3 – 30 feet (1 – 10 m) where it mainly feeds upon algae and detritus.
General Husbandry: Rarely seen in the trade and having a blunt head, with cirri over the eyes, large lips and a mottled greyish brown body.
Best maintained in fish-only aquariums having rocky areas having caves to hide/explore, and if feasible, containing heavy growths of algae that it can feed upon.
Tankmates must be at least moderately aggressive, as those in this genus are feisty/aggressive and will even attack fish twice their size.
Requires a diet high in vegetable matter, and if sufficient aquarium algae is not present, its diet must be supplemented with vegetable matter including frozen and dried foods containing ‘marine’ algae and especially Spirulina algae. It should be fed as often as necessary to maintain its health. (If anyone has a better photo, please contact me.)
Taxonomy:
Order: Perciformes
Suborder: Blennioidei
Family: Blenniidae
Genus: Parablennius
FYI: Usually, the only species in this genus that is purposely collected for the trade.
May nip coral polyps and clam mantles.
Highly aggressive towards any other herbivores in the aquarium.
Unless there is a sufficient amount of greens this fish will slowly waste away.
One per aquarium.
Will consume cyanobacteria/slime algae and other types of microalgae.
Experience Level: Intermediate
Temperament: Semi-aggressive
Diet: Herbivore
Coral Safe: With caution
Fish Safe: With caution
Invertebrate Safe: With caution
Acclimation Time: 30 minutes+
Aquarium Environment: Fish-only aquarium
Tankmates: Larger and those that are not herbivores
Minimum Tank Size: 50 gallons
Temperature Range: 72 - 79°F (22 – 26°C)
Specific Gravity: 1.020 - 1.026
pH: 8.0 - 8.5
