Saltcorner
By Bob Goemans
By Bob Goemans
Likely Reef Tank Suitable
Likely Fish-Only Tank Suitable
Range: Indo-West Pacific Ocean: Indonesia to New Caledonia, north to Ryukyus Islands and Belau.
Size: 3 inches (8 cm)
Natural Environment: Inhabits cracks and caves along vertical drop-offs below 300 feet (100 m) and sometimes found swimming upside down under ledges and/or in caves.
General Husbandry: This beautiful very deep water dwarf angelfish has a yellow body with a large black dot centrally located on the sides of its body, and is not normally seen in the U.S. aquarium trade. However, as of early 2016 some specimens may be coming to market, and when they do, they will be ‘very’ expensive!
Not much is known about its diet/aquarium care, nevertheless, it should no doubt mimic that of other species in this genus, i.e., it be added to only well established aquariums containing lots of live rock that will provide it many caves and crevices to explore and/or hide in when feeling threatened. And that frozen foods including fortified brine shrimp, mysis, and especially those containing sponge matter/angelfish food preparations be offered several times a day. Yet, more definitive information is needed before one can precisely denote its care/needs.
Taxonomy:
Order: Perciformes
Suborder: Percoidei
Family: Pomacanthidae
Genus: Centropyge
FYI: 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: Professional
Temperament: Semi-aggressive
Diet: Omnivore
Acclimation Time: 30 minutes+
Aquarium Environment: Reef or fish-only aquarium
Reef Safe: With caution – may have a tendency to nip clam mantles, large–polyped stony (LPS) corals and some soft corals, especially so when underfed.
Minimum Tank Size: 50 gallons
Temperature Range: 72 - 79°F (22 – 26°C).
Specific Gravity: 1.020-1.027
pH: 8.0 - 8.5
