Saltcorner
By Bob Goemans
By Bob Goemans
Not Reef Tank Suitable
Likely Fish-Only Tank Suitable
Range: Western Pacific Ocean: Southern Japan south to Papua New Guinea south to Great Barries Reef and Lord Howe Island.
Size: 7 inches (17 cm)
Natural Environment: Inhabits fore-reef slopes that experience rich soft and stony coral and sponge growth at depths of about 15 – 150 feet (5 – 65 m) and feeds on soft and stony coral polyps, sea anemones, sponges, worms, tunicates, crustaceans, and other benthic invertebrates.
General Husbandry: Rarely ever collected for the U.S. trade, this attractive species has a white body that is highlighted with numerous brown spots, black eye band, yellow on the rear of the body, and yellow dorsal, anal and tail 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, and live rock hiding places. 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.
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.
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: Carnivore
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: 72 - 79°F (22 – 26°C)
Specific Gravity: 1.020 -1.026
pH: 8.0 - 8.5
