Saltcorner
By Bob Goemans
By Bob Goemans
Likely Reef Tank Suitable
Likely Fish-Only Tank Suitable
Range: Western Pacific Ocean: Mariana, Samoan, Johnston, Hawaiian, Line and Tuamotu Islands.
Size: 7 inches (18 cm)
Natural Environment: Inhabits areas above steep outer reefs at depths between 30 to 900 feet (10 – 300 m), yet sometimes found in shallow lagoons. Is strictly a zooplankton feeder, only feeding on copepods.
General Husbandry: Rarely seen in the trade as its quite drab, basically a light grey overall. Nevertheless, it's a very hardy species and adapts quite easily to aquarium life in larger reef style aquariums or peaceful fish-only community aquariums, especially those with lots of open swimming space. A meaty diet of live fortified brine shrimp, black worms (Lumbriculus variegatus), and frozen meaty foods such as mysis, should be offered several times daily.
It can be maintained in fish-only or reef aquariums singly, in pairs, or in small groups, and is not a danger to corals or other invertebrates..
Rarely is there a problem getting this species to feed in the aquarium, however, small human consumption clams/black mussels purchased in local grocery stores and placed on the half-shell in the aquarium will help entice it to begin feeding. Over time, frozen foods like mysis and brine shrimp will be more readily accepted.
Taxonomy:
Order: Perciformes
Suborder: Percoidei
Family: Chaetodontidae
Genus: Hemitaurichthys
FYI: Pressing some soft foods into openings/crevices on a piece of old dead coral skeleton can sometimes encourage finicky eaters to begin feeding.
Experience Level: Beginner
Temperament: Peaceful
Diet: Carnivore
Coral Safe: Yes
Invertebrate Safe: Yes
Acclimation Time: 30 minutes+
Aquarium Environment: Reef aquarium and fish-only aquarium.
Tankmates: Peaceful or non-aggressive
Minimum Tank Size: 125 gallons
Temperature Range: 72 - 82°F (22 – 27°C).
Specific Gravity: 1.020 - 1.026
pH: 8.0 - 8.5
