Saltcorner
By Bob Goemans
By Bob Goemans
Not Reef Tank Suitable
Likely Fish-Only Tank Suitable
Range: Indian Ocean: Gulf of Aden to Sri Lanka.
Size: 7 inches (17 cm)
Natural Environment: Inhabits fringing reefs at depths of about 6 – 220 feet (2 – 65 m), but usually found below 85 feet (25 m), and feeds on algae, stony coral polyps, worms, hydroids, tunicates, crustaceans, and other benthic invertebrates.
General Husbandry: Rarely ever collected for the U.S. trade, yet somewhat for the Japanese trade, this attractive species has a whitish body, black eye band, black on the rear of the body, black dorsal edged in yellow, and yellow tail and anal fins.
There is very little aquarium husbandry information available for this species, however, it should no doubt receive similar treatment as others in this genus, e.g., be housed 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, a meaty diet of live fortified brine shrimp and/or black worms (Lumbriculus variegatus) is a good beginning. Once feeding regularly, various frozen meaty foods such as mysis, can be offered several times daily. Flake foods, especially those containing Spirulina and/or Nori should also be occasionally offered.
Should there be a problem getting this species to feeds, 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. Furthermore, if feeding in captivity begins, this becomes a very hardy species!
Taxonomy:
Order: Perciformes
Suborder: Percoidei
Family: Chaetodontidae
Genus: Chaetodon
FYI: Should not be maintained with others in the same genus, unless a mated pair.
Juveniles would no doubt acclimate more easily to aquarium life than adults.
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: 74 - 82°F (23 – 28°C)
Specific Gravity: 1.020 -1.026
pH: 8.0 - 8.5
