Saltcorner
By Bob Goemans
By Bob Goemans
Likely Reef Tank Suitable
Likely Fish-Only Tank Suitable
Range: Indo-West Pacific Ocean: Red Sea and East Africa to Samoa, north to Yaeyamas, south to New Caledonia and Australia.
Size: 8 inches (20 cm)
Natural Environment: Inhabits river mouths, estuaries, mangrove roots and rocky reefs at depths between 3 - 30 feet (1 – 10 m) and feeds on floating debris, plankton and small fishes.
General Husbandry: Has a silvery diamond-shaped body, somewhat like the freshwater angelfish, with two black stripes on the front half, and the adult having a somewhat yellowish dorsal fin. Juveniles have yellow dorsal, anal and tail fins.
Keep in mind this is basically a brackish water fish, one that occasionally enters freshwater areas.
Best maintained in large aquariums with wide-open swimming and hiding areas. Can be maintained at a wide range of salinities, nevertheless, knowledge of what salinity your specimen comes from prior to it entering your aquarium is highly advisable. If lower or higher, acclimate slowly as necessary prior to it entering your aquarium.
As to diet, feed a wide variety of frozen and fresh meaty foodstuffs (chopped squid, scallops, fish flesh, shrimp, clam, etc.) and plant material, e.g., flake foods, especially those containing Spirulina and/or Nori and pellets formulated for omnivores, several times daily. Will also consume small fishes in the aquarium.
Taxonomy:
Order: Perciformes
Suborder: Percoidei
Family: Monodactylidae
Genus: Monodactylus
FYI: This is a shoaling fish, therefore best maintained in small groups of five or more.
When stressed or at night, becomes blackish.
Experience Level: Intermediate
Temperament: Semi-aggressive
Diet: Omnivore
Coral Safe: Yes
Invertebrate Safe: Yes
Fish Safe: With caution
Acclimation Time: 30 minutes+
Aquarium Environment: Fish-only or reef aquarium
Tankmates: Peaceful or non-aggressive
Minimum Tank Size: 100+ gallons
Temperature Range: 74 - 82°F (23 – 28°C)
Specific Gravity: 1.010 -1.025
pH: 7.2 - 8.5
