Saltcorner
By Bob Goemans
By Bob Goemans
Likely Reef Tank Suitable
Likely Fish-Only Tank Suitable
Range: Western Atlantic Ocean: Massachusetts to Bermuda, Gulf of Mexico, and south to Brazil.
Size: 14 inches (35 cm)
Natural Environment: Inhabits shallow rocky bottom areas and usually found at depths between 6 - 50 feet (2 - 15 m) where it feeds mainly upon algae and parasites found on turtles.
General Husbandry: Rarely seen in the trade having a laterally compressed body and a small mouth, such as angelfishes and butterflyfishes, and having a greyish body with 10 darker grey vertical bars on the side. Has various colors depending upon maturity and areas of collection.
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, and consume meaty foods such as pieces of fish flesh and mussel meat.
Taxonomy:
Order: Perciformes
Suborder: Acanthuroidei
Family: Acanthuridae
Genus: Acanthurus
FYI: One per tank 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.
Can be somewhat aggressive if maintained in an aquarium too small for its size.
Experience Level: Intermediate
Temperament: Peaceful
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: 250 gallons
Temperature Range: 72 - 82°F (22 - 27°C)
Specific Gravity: 1.020 - 1.025
pH: 8.0 - 8.5
