Saltcorner
By Bob Goemans
By Bob Goemans
Likely Reef Tank Suitable
Likely Fish-Only Tank Suitable
Range: Southeastern Pacific Ocean: Rapa, Easter, and Pitcairn Islands.
Size: 7 inches (17 cm)
Natural Environment: Inhabits macroalgae covered volcanic boulders with sparse coral growths at depths between 30 – 100 feet (10 – 30 m) and is a mid-water zooplankton feeder.
General Husbandry: Rarely collected for the trade because of its limited collection area and its somewhat drab appearance, i.e., having a frontal body half and its fins dark brown, with the aft half and fins yellow. Rear dorsal and anal fins are edged in blue.
There is very little aquarium husbandry information available for this species, however, it should be maintained at slightly cooler water temperatures than what most hobbyist aquariums are maintained, e.g., no higher than mid 70’s.
Probably 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, 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. An additional treat would be small human consumption clams/black mussels purchased in local grocery stores and placed on the half-shell in the aquarium.
Taxonomy:
Order: Perciformes
Suborder: Percoidei
Family: Chaetodontidae
Genus: Chaetodon
FYI: Juveniles would 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: With caution
Invertebrate Safe: With caution
Acclimation Time: 30 minutes+
Aquarium Environment: Fish-only aquarium
Tankmates: Peaceful or non-aggressive
Minimum Tank Size: 100 gallons
Temperature Range: 68 - 75°F (20 – 24°C)
Specific Gravity: 1.020 -1.026
pH: 8.0 - 8.5
