Saltcorner
By Bob Goemans
By Bob Goemans
Likely Reef Tank Suitable
Likely Fish-Only Tank Suitable
Range: Indo-West Pacific Ocean: East Africa south to the southeast coast of South Africa and east to Tonga, north to Southern Japan, south to New Caledonia, southeastern Australia and northern New Zealand.
Size: 6 inches (15 cm)
Natural Environment: Inhabits steep slopes and small coral heads that are exposed to current and generally found at depths between 50 – 400 feet (15 – 120 m) where it feeds on crustaceans/zooplankton.
General Husbandry: Occasionally seen in the trade and having a yellowish to orange brown body with mottling on the body and head. Eyes are deep blue/green.
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.
Even though not overly feisty, this species should not be housed with non-aggressive fishes such as anthias, dartfishes, small gobies and flasher wrasses.
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: Cyprinocirrhites
FYI: Will eat small crustaceans/tubeworms.
Cannot be trusted with very small fish such as Neon Gobies.
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: Beginner
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: 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
