Saltcorner
By Bob Goemans
By Bob Goemans
Likely Reef Tank Suitable
Likely Fish-Only Tank Suitable
Range: Western Indian Ocean: Maldives, and also in the western Pacific Ocean.
Size: 5 inches (12 cm)
Natural Environment: Inhabits rock, coral and rubble areas on subtidal coastal reefs and generally found at depths between 30 – 65 feet (10 – 20 m) where it feeds on small fishes and crustaceans.
General Husbandry: Rarely in seen the trade and quite feisty and secretive in the wild. Has two color phases, a whitish head and body or brownish body and head, each with irregular orange blotches and a dark spot on the upper gill plate area.
Can be maintained in reef or fish-only aquariums, which should contain various rocky areas where the species can take shelter if needing it, or perch/sit on and watch the activity of other tankmates or see where food enters the aquarium.
Since this species is quite feisty, should only be housed with moderately aggressive tankmates.
As to diet, finely chopped products such as marine fish and crustacean flesh, clams, and other marine meaty foods and/or frozen carnivore foods should be fed twice daily.
Taxonomy:
Order: Perciformes
Suborder: Percoidei
Family: Cirrhitidae
Genus: Cirrhitichthys
FYI: Will eat small crustaceans/tubeworms and smaller fishes.
Will defend its preferred sitting areas.
May annoy sessile invertebrates by sitting on them.
Adults do not possess a swim bladder.
Strong pelvic fins are used as supports when perching.
Experience Level: Intermediate
Temperament: Feisty/moderately 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: Moderately aggressive
Minimum Tank Size: 30+ gallons
Temperature Range: 72 - 81°F (22 – 27°C)
Specific Gravity: 1.020 - 1.026
pH: 8.0 - 8.5
