Saltcorner
By Bob Goemans
By Bob Goemans
Likely Reef Tank Suitable
Likely Fish-Only Tank Suitable
Range: Western Pacific Ocean: Christmas Island and Sumatra, east to Marshall Islands and Vanatu, north to Japan and south to Lord Howe Island.
Size: 3.5 inches (9 cm)
Natural Environment: Inhabits shallow lagoons where rock, rubble and corals provide numerous hiding areas at a depth of 3 to 80 feet deep (1 – 25 m) and mainly feeds on algae and sponges.
General Husbandry: This quite hardy and beautiful dwarf angelfish has its front two thirds a light grey, with its remainder black, and its dorsal and anal fins having a thin bright blue edging. Its scales on the lighter portion of the body have white centers, lending credence/meaning to the common name ‘Pearlscale Angelfish.’
Its recommended this species be added to a well-established reef or fish-only aquarium, as it likes to pick on rocks containing various forms of algae. In fact, its an excellent browser of filamentous algae, and will accept a wide variety of frozen foods including fortified brine shrimp, mysis, and especially those containing sponge matter/angelfish food preparations. Flake food is also accepted, and should include algae-based foods, including Spirulina. Two feedings per day is highly recommended. Its also recommended there be only one species from this dwarf angelfish genus in the aquarium, as they will develop aggression toward other dwarf angelfish. Its also suggested it be the last fish to be added as it can be quite feisty with newcomers.
Can be quite shy when first entering the aquarium, and will hide in caves and crevices. But as time passes, will become more outgoing and begin to establish its territory. Not suited for small aquariums, as they will not only become very aggressive, they will, 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 – has a tendency to nip clam mantles, large–polyped stony (LPS) and small-polyped stony (SPS) corals, and some soft corals, especially so when underfed.
Minimum Tank Size: 50 gallons
Temperature Range: 72 - 82°F (22 – 27°C).
Specific Gravity: 1.020-1.027
pH: 8.0 - 8.5
