Saltcorner
By Bob Goemans
By Bob Goemans
Likely Reef Tank Suitable
Likely Fish-Only Tank Suitable
Range: Indo-West Pacific Ocean: Mozambique and Maldives to the Western Pacific.
Size: 20 inches (50 cm)
Natural Environment: Inhabits deep reef slopes and usually found at depths below 100 feet (30 m) where it feeds mainly upon microalgae and diatom film on rocks.
General Husbandry: Rare in the trade having a laterally compressed body and small mouth, such as angelfishes and butterflyfishes, with a grey-brown body and some orange/red on the dorsal and anal fins, and a small black spot on the upper gill plate.
Can be maintained in reef or fish-only aquariums having wide-open swimming areas and somewhat turbulent, well-oxygenated water flow.
Requires a varied vegetable diet, including fresh macroalgae, Spirulina, zucchini, broccoli, dried seaweed (Nori), and enriched vegetable flakes, and requires two or three feedings per day. Will browse on filamentous and microalgae.
Taxonomy:
Order: Perciformes
Suborder: Acanthuroidei
Family: Acanthuridae
Genus: Acanthurus
FYI: One per aquarium and a constant grazer.
Has a sharp forward pointing spine on each side of the caudal peduncle, which folds into a groove. Erected when excited. Handle with care!
Should have peaceful, none fin-nipping tankmates.
Can be quite aggressive towards others in the family.
Experience Level: Intermediate
Temperament: Semi-aggressive
Diet: Herbivore
Coral Safe: Yes
Fish Safe: Yes
Invertebrate Safe: Yes
Acclimation Time: 30 minutes+
Aquarium Environment: Reef or fish-only aquarium
Tankmates: Peaceful
Minimum Tank Size: 350 gallons
Temperature Range: 72 - 82°F (22 - 27°C)
Specific Gravity: 1.020 - 1.025
pH: 8.0 - 8.5
