Saltcorner
By Bob Goemans
By Bob Goemans
Not Reef Tank Suitable
Likely Fish-Only Tank Suitable
Range: Indo-West Pacific Ocean: Red Sea and East Africa, Marquesas and Tuamotu Islands, north to Southern Japan and south to Lord Howe Island.
Size: 14 inches (35 cm)
Natural Environment: Inhabits lagoons, reef channels, reef faces, and outer ref slopes slopes at depths between 3 – 250 feet (1 – 75 m) and feeds mainly of smaller fish, along with crustaceans, crabs, worms, clams, urchins, and various other benthic invertebrates.
General Husbandry: Quite attractive, and has an elongated body that is mostly bright yellow with several horizontal blue lines edged in black. The belly area is white, and its dorsal, anal, and tail fins are bright yellow.
Rarely ever does this species appear in the trade, as it's a very aggressive carnivore that will at a minimum intimidate other more passive/peacesful tankmates, or actually pick on and damage more peaceful tankmates.
It would require very ‘large’ fish-only aquariums with wide-open swimming areas, with caves and overhangs to feel secure, and aggressive tankmates, such as groupers, triggerfish, and moray eels. Should be the last fish to be introduced into a community aquarium.
As to diet, will eat a wide variety of frozen and fresh meaty foodstuffs (chopped squid, fish flesh, shrimp, clam, etc.), including any ornamental crustaceans and small fish in the aquarium, and should be fed at least once per day. Requires lots of open swimming area.
FYI: A voracious predator and will eat any moving invertebrates and fish small enough to fit into its mouth! One per aquarium.
Color often fades on captivity.
Experience Level: Professional
Temperament: Active/aggressive
Diet: Carnivore
Coral Safe: Yes
Invertebrate Safe: No
Fish Safe: With caution
Acclimation Time: 30 minutes+
Aquarium Environment: Fish-only aquarium
Tankmates: Aggressive
Minimum Tank Size: 150+ gallons
Temperature Range: 72 - 84°F (22 – 29°C)
Specific Gravity: 1.020 -1.026
pH: 8.0 - 8.5
