Saltcorner
By Bob Goemans
By Bob Goemans
Likely Reef Tank Suitable
Likely Fish-Only Tank Suitable
Range: Indo-West Pacific Ocean: Philippines to northwestern Australia.
Size: 6 inches (14 cm)
Natural Environment: Inhabits shallow rocky and coral reefs and also estuaries and usually found between depths of 3 – 50 feet (1 – 15 m) where it mainly feeds upon filamentous algae, diatoms, tiny crustaceans, and detritus.
General Husbandry: Occasionally seen in the trade, having a mottled dark brown body with white spots, blunt head, large eyes, and some yellow on the pectoral and tail fins.
Can be maintained in reef or fish-only aquariums having rocky areas with caves to hide/explore, and if feasible, containing heavy growths of algae to feed upon.
Tankmates must be at least moderately aggressive, as those in this genus are somewhat feisty/aggressive.
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.
Taxonomy:
Order: Perciformes
Suborder: Blennioidei
Family: Blenniidae
Genus: Salarias
FYI: May nip coral polyps and clam mantles and eat small snails and ornamental shrimp.
Aggressive towards other herbivores in the aquarium and smaller fishes.
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: Reef or fish-only aquarium
Tankmates: Larger and those that are not herbivores
Minimum Tank Size: 50 gallons
Temperature Range: 72 - 82°F (22 – 27°C)
Specific Gravity: 1.020 - 1.026
pH: 8.0 - 8.5
