Saltcorner
By Bob Goemans
By Bob Goemans
Likely Reef Tank Suitable
Likely Fish-Only Tank Suitable
Range: Western Pacific Ocean: Southern tip of Japan to the Philippines
Size: 4 inches (10 cm)
Natural Environment: Inhabits seaward coral and rocky reefs and is found singly or in small aggregations at depths of 10 to 100 feet (3 – 30 m). Diet consists mainly of algae and detritus, yet also consumes coral polyps, sponges, and small snails.
General Husbandry: This hardy dwarf angelfish is quite beautiful, as its body is mostly a burnt orange color with black flecks on its upper half, and its dorsal, anal and tail are edged with a bright blue. Its also quite social and gets along with a wide variety of tankmates.
Its recommended this species be added to a well-established reef or fish-only aquarium containing lots of live rock as it likes to pick on rocks containing various forms of algae or find accumulations of detritus to ingest. In fact, its an excellent browser of filamentous algae, and will also accept a wide variety of frozen foods including fortified brine shrimp, mysis, and flake food, especially Spirulina. Two feedings per day is highly recommended, as underfed specimens have a tendency to pester corals and other invertebrates. Its also recommended there be only one species from this dwarf angelfish genus in the aquarium, as they tend to develop aggression to other dwarf angelfish species.
Not suited for small nano style aquariums, as they will become very aggressive in small surroundings, and furthermore, without numerous feedings per day, be able to find enough food to be maintained long-term.
Taxonomy:
Order: Perciformes
Suborder: Percoidei
Family: Pomacanthidae
Genus: Centropyge
FYI: All Centropyge species start life as unsexed individuals, but begin their adult life as females. Then, the larger or more dominant individual within small groups will change sex within a few days to a couple of weeks and become a male. Knowing that size is the main difference between the sexes, and not so much its coloration, all one needs to do is place a small and larger specimen together. Within approximately sixty days one of the two fish will have physically changed sex to accommodate the other. A reversal of this sex change is possible if the need arises, but that requires much more time, e.g., weeks to months.
Keep in mind all angels have cheekspines at the edge of their gill cover; therefore use caution when handling and also avoid using a net to capture it, as it may become stuck or tangled in the net and become damaged when removed.
Experience Level: Intermediate
Temperament: Semi-aggressive
Diet: Omnivore
Acclimation Time: 30 minutes+
Aquarium Environment: Reef aquarium (see below) or fish-only aquarium
Reef Safe: With caution – underfed specimens have a tendency to nip clam mantles, sea anemones, and large and small–polyped stony (LPS/SPS) corals and eat snails.
Minimum Tank Size: 50 gallons
Temperature Range: 70 - 82°F (21 – 27°C).
Specific Gravity: 1.020-1.026
pH: 8.0 - 8.5
