Saltcorner
By Bob Goemans
By Bob Goemans
Likely Reef Tank Suitable
Likely Fish-Only Tank Suitable
Range: Indo-West Pacific Ocean: Southern Japan to Line Islands, south to Great Barrier Reef and Coral Sea.
Size: 3 inches (9 cm)
Natural Environment: Inhabits shallow surge-swept reef fronts and usually found hiding among stony coral branches and generally found at depths between 3 – 30 feet (1 – 10 m) where it feeds on small crustaceans.
General Husbandry: Commonly seen in the trade and one of the most popular hawkfish with marine hobbyists. Quite attractive having a bright red body and head with dark markings at the base of the dorsal and around the eyes.
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. Somewhat secretive and may spend most of its time hiding.
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: Neocirrhites
FYI: Will eat small ornamental shrimp (including cleaner shrimp), tubeworms, snails and crabs. Will knock snails off aquarium side panels, and eat them.
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.
One per aquarium.
Will annoy bottom dwelling fishes.
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
