Saltcorner
By Bob Goemans
By Bob Goemans
Likely Reef Tank Suitable
Likely Fish-Only Tank Suitable
Range: Indo-Pacific Ocean: India and Sri Lanka to Fiji, north to Ryukyu and Bonin Islands, and south to northern Great Barrier Reef and New South Wales
Size: 7 inches (18 cm)
Natural Environment: Inhabits shallow bays and estuaries at a depth of 10 to 100 feet (3 – 30 m) and often found over flat muddy bottoms and/or in seagrass beds. Feeds on algae, crustaceans, and sponges and found in pairs or small groups.
General Husbandry: This very attractive species, which is not seen very often in the trade, has a silvery body marked with five yellowish brown tan edged vertical bands and false-eye spot on the upper rear of the body.
Even though there is not much husbandry information available on this species, it’s said to adapt quite easily in already established larger peaceful fish-only community aquariums, especially those with lots of open swimming area. Nevertheless, its also said getting this species to begin feeding is sometimes problematic. Therefore, highly recommend a meaty diet of live fortified brine shrimp and black worms (Lumbriculus variegatus) be offered several times daily when first introduced to its new home. Also, small human consumption clams/black mussels purchased in local grocery stores and placed on the half-shell in the aquarium may also help entice it to begin feeding. Over time, frozen foods such as mysis and brine shrimp, as will various flake foods containing Spirulina, will be more readily accepted.
Taxonomy:
Order: Perciformes
Suborder: Percoidei
Family: Chaetodontidae
Genus: Parachaetodon
FYI: Known to consume small shrimp.
The only species in this genus.
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: Intermediate
Temperament: Peaceful
Diet: Omnivore
Coral Safe: Yes
Invertebrate Safe: Advise caution
Acclimation Time: 30 minutes+
Aquarium Environment: Reef aquarium (with caution) and fish-only aquarium.
Tankmates: Peaceful or non-aggressive
Minimum Tank Size: 75 gallons
Temperature Range: 72 - 82°F (22 – 27°C)
Specific Gravity: 1.020-1.026
pH: 8.0 - 8.5
