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 the Line and Society Islands, north to Southern Japan, and south to New Wales, Lord Howe and Rapa Islands.
Size: 5 inches (14 cm)
Natural Environment: Inhabits outer reef slopes and usually found at depths between 6 – 50 feet (2 – 15 m) where it feeds on zooplankton.
General Husbandry: Occasionally seen in the trade, having white head and bluish body with large dorsal and anal fins.
Can be maintained in either fish-only or reef aquariums having numerous hiding places, e.g., rocky crevices and a finely grained deep sand bed for hiding when threatened or sleeping at night. Will hover in open water, yet near the safety of an area where they can quickly retreat if threatened.
Should not be housed with aggressive fishes such as groupers, dottybacks, triggerfishes or aggressive angelfishes.
Requires a meaty diet, including fortified brine shrimp, mysis, and other meaty type marine fresh or frozen foods, which should be finely chopped and dispensed upstream so the water current brings the food to within the area it inhabits. Needs two feedings per day.
If difficult to get feeding in the beginning, try some live foods, such as adult fortified brine shrimp.
Taxonomy:
Order: Perciformes
Suborder: Percoidei
Family: Microdesmidae
Genus: Ptereleotris
FYI: One per tank unless a mated pair. Those in small groups will often chase others causing injuries or death.
Colors fade if it has an inadequate/varied diet.
Covered aquariums are required as this a good jumper.
Naturally faces into the current to capture zooplankton.
Experience Level: Beginner
Temperament: Peaceful
Diet: Carnivore
Coral Safe: Yes
Fish 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: 72 - 80°F (22 – 27°C)
Specific Gravity: 1.020 - 1.026
pH: 8.0 - 8.5
