Saltcorner
By Bob Goemans
By Bob Goemans
Likely Reef Tank Suitable
Likely Fish-Only Tank Suitable
Range: Indo-West Pacific Ocean: Bismarck Archipelago of Papua New Guinea.
Size: 2 inches (5 cm)
Natural Environment: Inhabits sheltered lagoon reefs at depths between 3 to about 50 feet (1 – 15 m) and mainly feeds on planktonic crustaceans (copepods, mysis, and shrimp larvae), fish eggs and algae.
General Husbandry: Rarely ever seen the trade, with this quite attractive species having a deep blue body.
Best maintained in aquariums having hiding places, as this docile species is sometimes picked on by slightly more aggressive fishes.
As to diet, a meaty diet, e.g., live fortified brine shrimp and/or finely chopped various frozen or fresh meaty foods such as mysis, squid, fish flesh, shrimp, clam and plant material, e.g., flake foods, especially those containing Spirulina should also be offered several times daily.
Taxonomy:
Order: Perciformes
Suborder: Labroidei
Family: Pomacentridae
Subfamily: Pomacentrinae
Genus: Chrysiptera
FYI: May be maintained in small groups if desired; yet best accomplished in larger aquariums, e.g., 50+ gallons, as they tend to pick on each other in smaller aquariums.
Experience Level: Beginner
Temperament: Peaceful
Diet: Omnivore
Coral Safe: Yes
Invertebrate Safe: With caution
Acclimation Time: 30 minutes+
Aquarium Environment: Reef or fish-only aquarium
Tankmates: Peaceful
Minimum Tank Size: 30 gallons
Temperature Range: 74 - 84°F (23 – 28°C)
Specific Gravity: 1.020 - 1.026
pH: 8.0 - 8.5
