Saltcorner
By Bob Goemans
By Bob Goemans
Likely Reef Tank Suitable
Likely Fish-Only Tank Suitable
Range: Indo-West Pacific Ocean: Red Sea, Persian Gulf, East Africa to the Hawaiian and Society Islands, north to Japan, south the New Zealand, and also the Eastern Atlantic Ocean: Azores, Madeira, Canary Islands and St. Helena.
Size: 5 inches (12 cm)
Natural Environment: Inhabits intertidal zones from depths of 3 – 25 feet (1 – 8 m), where it feeds on small fishes and crustaceans.
General Husbandry: Fairly common in the trade. Has various color forms, e.g., may be a mottled pink, yellow, red or brown, but usually the same as what its sitting next to! Equipped with an angling lure that looks like a shrimp and dangles it near its mouth.
Best maintained in fish-only aquariums with tankmates too large to be eaten, or possibly a single species aquarium, or even reef aquariums, as it's it will spend most of its time in open areas waiting dinner.
As to diet, keep in mind these fish are carnivores, and require a diet high in protein and amino acids (lipids/fats). Products such as live marine fish and/or marine fish and crustacean flesh, clams, and other marine meaty foods should make up the majority of their diet. Non-living foodstuffs can be suspended/impaled on a long thin stick and dangled within range to entice feeding.
However, ‘occasional’ live mollies, guppies, goldfish, and/or Gambusia provide for that natural feeding excitement found in the wild should live marine fish not be available. Nevertheless, feeding these small freshwater live fish should be considered a special treat and not become a steady diet since they lack the fatty acids that marine fish need to stay healthy.
Keep in mind that feeder goldfish, which cannot survive but a few minutes in seawater, also carry many different bacteria, fungi, and protozoa that can cause parasitic and infectious diseases. Furthermore, feeder goldfish can also cause blockage in the digestive track and/or kidney along with liver damage due to fatty degeneration in the consuming fish. And this will ultimately lead to the consumer’s death. In fact, fatty liver degeneration is a common cause of death in cases where marine fish are fed a diet that primarily consists of goldfish (as with Lionfish for example). Also, its possible the large air bladder in the goldfish can upset the internal balance in this fish, sometimes causing it to float at the surface, possibly killing it.
For those aquarists living near the coastline there are often fisherman bait shops that sell small live marine fish that can be used as bait. If available, these small live marine baitfish are an excellent foodstuff.
Because these are sedentary fish, their metabolism is quite low. Therefore infrequent feedings of once or twice a week for adults and three or four times a week for juveniles is recommended.
They are susceptible to Amyloodinium and Cryptocaryon, therefore prevent sudden temperature changes and/or other stressful conditions, as this opens a window of opportunity for these maladies.
Taxonomy:
Order: Lophiiformes
Suborder: Antennarioidei
Family: Antennariidae
Subfamily: Antennariinae
Genus: Antennarius
FYI: Capable of changing colors to match surroundings.
Will consume ornamental crustaceans.
Best maintained in their own private environment.
Lacks a swim bladder, that's why they are bottom dwelling fishes.
Lacks teeth, swallows prey whole.
Experience Level: Intermediate
Temperament: Semi-aggressive
Diet: Carnivore
Coral Safe: Yes
Fish Safe: With caution
Invertebrate Safe: With caution
Acclimation Time: 30 minutes+
Aquarium Environment: Reef or fish-only aquarium
Tankmates: Peaceful, yet large enough not to be eaten
Minimum Tank Size: 50+ gallons
Temperature Range: 70 - 80°F (21 – 27°C)
Specific Gravity: 1.020 - 1.026
pH: 8.0 - 8.5
