Saltcorner
By Bob Goemans
By Bob Goemans
Not Reef Tank Suitable
Likely Fish-Only Tank Suitable
Range: Eastern Central Pacific Ocean: Gulf of California to northern Colombia.
Size: 24 inches (60 cm)
Natural Environment: Inhabits shallow near shore rocky reefs where it spends the daylight hours in crevices or under overhangs, and generally it’s found at depths between 15 – 85 feet (5 – 25 m) where it feeds at night on small fishes and crustaceans.
General Husbandry: Rarely ever seen in the trade, feisty and very secretive. This large hawkfish, the largest in the family, is basically an olive green overall with darker bands radiating from around the eyes. There are two white spots under the rear dorsal, and several mottled darker bands on the aft body.
Should be maintained in dimly lit fish-only aquariums containing various rocky areas where the species can take shelter if needing it, as its quite secretive, especially during daytime hours. Tankmates must be large enough not to be eaten, and feisty enough to protect themselves.
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. Best fed during early morning or evening hours.
Taxonomy:
Order: Perciformes
Suborder: Percoidei
Family: Cirrhitidae
Genus: Cirrhitus
FYI: Will eat small crustaceans/tubeworms and smaller fishes.
Will defend its preferred hiding areas.
Adults do not possess a swim bladder.
Strong pelvic fins are used as supports when perching.
More a food or gamefish than an aquarium specimen.
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: Fish-only aquarium
Tankmates: Moderately aggressive
Minimum Tank Size: 150+ gallons
Temperature Range: 68 - 81°F (20 – 27°C)
Specific Gravity: 1.020 - 1.026
pH: 8.0 - 8.5
