Saltcorner
By Bob Goemans
By Bob Goemans
Not Reef Tank Suitable
Likely Fish-Only Tank Suitable
Range: Northwest Pacific Ocean: Central and Southern Japan.
Size: 6 inches (15 cm)
Natural Environment: Inhabits rocky coral reefs rich in large polyped stony and soft corals at depths of 10 – 130 feet (3 – 40 m) and feeds mainly on filamentous algae, large polyped stony and soft corals, and also somewhat on fanworms, hydroids, snails, barnacles, tunicates, and other benthic invertebrates. Adults live in pairs or small groups.
General Husbandry: Rarely seen in the trade because of its limited area of distribution and the need for cooler water temperatures than what most hobbyist utilize in home aquariums. Its also somewhat drab having a blackish cross-hatched body with its tail, dorsal and anal fins edged in yellow.
A very hardy species, and best maintained in larger peaceful fish-only aquariums, especially those with lots of open swimming space, live rock hiding places, and having micro and macroalgae growths. As to diet, this species is said to be an excellent browser of filamentous algae, therefore flake foods, especially those containing Spirulina and/or Nori should be offered, as should a meaty diet of live fortified brine shrimp, black worms (Lumbriculus variegatus), and/or various frozen meaty foods such as mysis, and overall be offered several times daily.
Even though known for feeding immediately upon entering the aquarium, should there be a problem getting this species to feed, 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. Over time, frozen foods like mysis and brine shrimp may be more readily accepted.
Taxonomy:
Order: Perciformes
Suborder: Percoidei
Family: Chaetodontidae
Genus: Chaetodon
FYI: Juveniles acclimate more easily to aquarium life than do adults.
Can be maintained with others in the same genus or in other butterflyfish genera.
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: No
Invertebrate Safe: No
Acclimation Time: 30 minutes+
Aquarium Environment: Fish-only aquarium
Tankmates: Peaceful or non-aggressive
Minimum Tank Size: 100 gallons
Temperature Range: 68 - 77°F (20 – 25°C)
Specific Gravity: 1.020 -1.026
pH: 8.0 - 8.5
