Saltcorner
By Bob Goemans
By Bob Goemans
Not Reef Tank Suitable
Likely Fish-Only Tank Suitable
Range: Indo-West Pacific Ocean: Widespread from Japan to east Africa.
Size: 6 inches (15 cm)
Natural Environment: Inhabits coastal rocky reefs at depths between 65 – 650 feet (20 - 210 m) and remains hidden in caves during daytime hours, and hunts prey during evening hours. Feeds on sandy bottom areas, mainly on crustaceans.
General Husbandry: Rarely seen in the trade, having a mostly pale yellow to dark yellow body with a light organ at the corners of the mouth.
Best maintained in dimly lit aquariums with several caves/hiding are and few tankmates, as they are quite shy.
Often difficult to get feeding, and if so, live foods, e.g., live enriched brine shrimp, grass shrimp, black worms (Lumbriculus variegatus), baby mollies and/or guppies should be offered. Over time, frozen foods like mysis, krill and brine shrimp may be more readily accepted and should be fed once or twice a day, preferably fed in evening hours.
Taxonomy:
Order: Beryciformes
Suborder: Trachichthyoidei
Family: Monocentridae
Genus: Monocentrus
FYI: Must have several caves/hiding areas.
Squrrelfishes, soldierfishes, and cardinalfishes make good tankmates.
Best maintained in small groups in a ‘single species’ aquarium.
Does best in lower 70’s temperatures.
Fairly hardy in the aquarium once settled in.
Non-aggressive towards other fishes.
Experience Level: Intermediate
Temperament: Peaceful
Diet: Carnivore
Coral Safe: Yes
Fish Safe: With caution
Invertebrate Safe: With caution
Acclimation Time: 30 minutes+
Aquarium Environment: Fish only aquarium
Tankmates: Peaceful
Minimum Tank Size: 75+ gallons
Temperature Range: 64 - 76°F (18 – 24°C)
Specific Gravity: 1.020 - 1.026
pH: 8.0 - 8.5
