Saltcorner
By Bob Goemans
By Bob Goemans
Not Reef Tank Suitable
Likely Fish-Only Tank Suitable
Range: Western Atlantic Ocean: Gulf of Mexico, east to the Bahamas, Greater Antilles, and Barbados to French Guyana.
Size: 5 inches (12 cm)
Natural Environment: Inhabits deep offshore reefs at depths from about 200 to 800 feet (60 – 240 m) and feeds on sponges, filamentous algae, and small crustaceans. Mostly seen at a depth of about 300 feet (90 m).
General Husbandry: Looks quite similar to others in this genus, as it has a silvery body with a narrow black band over the head to and through both eyes. Theres also two wide vertical black bands towards the rear of the body. Even thought quite attractive and hardy, its very expensive because it needs to undergo decompression stops to prevent injury to its gas bladder since its captured in deep waters.
Yet when available, has been said to adapt quite easily to aquarium life in larger 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/or various frozen meaty foods such as mysis, and flake foods containing Spirulina should be offered several times daily.
Should there be a problem getting this species to feed in the aquarium, small human consumption clams/black mussels purchased in local grocery stores and placed on the half-shell in the aquarium may help entice it to begin feeding.
Taxonomy:
Order: Perciformes
Suborder: Percoidei
Family: Chaetodontidae
Genus: Prognathodes
FYI: This species is rarely seen in the trade due to its collection depths!
Those in this genus are usually referred to as ‘Longnose Butterflyfish.’
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: Professional
Temperament: Peaceful
Diet: Omnivore
Coral Safe: No
Invertebrate Safe: No
Acclimation Time: 30 minutes+
Aquarium Environment: Fish-only aquarium
Tankmates: Peaceful or non-aggressive
Minimum Tank Size: 75 gallons
Temperature Range: 74 - 79°F (23 – 26°C)
Specific Gravity: 1.020 -1.026
pH: 8.0 - 8.5
