Saltcorner
By Bob Goemans
By Bob Goemans
Not Reef Tank Suitable
Likely Fish-Only Tank Suitable
Range: Western Pacific Ocean: Indonesia to Papua New Guinea, north to Southern Japan.
Size: 6 inches (16 cm)
Natural Environment: Inhabits coastal coral and rubble containing slopes at depths of about 10 – 250 feet (3 - 75 m), yet usually collected at about 50 feet (15 m) and feeds on tunicates/sea squirts, various benthic invertebrates, and minor amounts of algae.
General Husbandry: Rarely seen in the trade due to its limited numbers in wild. Has a whitish body with slanted lines of yellow dots, a black band at the caudal peduncle that extends upwards into the dorsal fin and lower into the anal fins, and a black eye band edged in yellow.
Unfortunately there does not appear to be any aquarium husbandry information on this species since its exceptionally rare in the trade, yet similar care given other species from comparable locals would be its best maintained in larger peaceful fish-only aquariums, especially those with lots of open swimming space and lots live rock hiding places and areas to browse. As to diet, a meaty diet of live fortified brine shrimp, black worms (Lumbriculus variegatus), and/or various frozen meaty foods such as mysis should be offered several times daily. It is not known if any algae is consumed in the wild, nevertheless, some flake foods, especially those containing Spirulina and/or Nori should also be offered.
And 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.
Should anyone have some aquarium husbandry data on this species, share it with me so I may post it for others to see.
Taxonomy:
Order: Perciformes
Suborder: Percoidei
Family: Chaetodontidae
Genus: Chaetodon
FYI: 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: Carnivore
Coral Safe: With caution
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 - 82°F (22 – 28°C)
Specific Gravity: 1.020 -1.026
pH: 8.0 - 8.5
