Saltcorner
By Bob Goemans
By Bob Goemans
Not Reef Tank Suitable
Likely Fish-Only Tank Suitable
Range: Western Indian Ocean: Mauritius, Sri Lanka and the East Coast of India
Size: 6 inches (15 cm)
Natural Environment: Inhabits rich coral growth areas on rocky lagoon reefs, reef faces, fore-reef faces at depths between 15 – 100 feet (5 – 30 m) where it feeds on algae, sponges, and various crustaceans.
General Husbandry: This beautiful angelfish, one of the more social and hardy species in this genus has a creamy colored body with a dark lattice pattern across it, with its tail bright yellow, and its black dorsal and anal fins edged in white.
As with all species in this genus, it should first be introduced into a well-established fish-only aquarium with lots of live rock and caves, and should be offered several daily feedings so as to quickly acclimate it to its surroundings. As to diet, it should consist of a wide variety of frozen foods including fortified brine shrimp, mysis, and especially those containing sponge matter/angelfish food preparations along with flake foods, especially those containing Spirulina. Once comfortable with its surroundings, one or two feeding per day should suffice nicely.
Depending upon its tankmates, it can be quite shy when first entering the aquarium, and may hide in caves and crevices. But as time passes, will become more outgoing and begin to establish its territory, yet those in this genus are almost always very good tankmates and considered one of the least aggressive in the overall family.
This species is generally thought of as one of the most hardy, peaceful and easiest in this genus to acclimate and maintain!
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.
Synonym – Holacanthus xanthurus
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: 100 gallons
Temperature Range: 72 - 82°F (22 – 28°C).
Specific Gravity: 1.020-1.026
pH: 8.0 - 8.5
