Saltcorner
By Bob Goemans
By Bob Goemans
Likely Reef Tank Suitable
Likely Fish-Only Tank Suitable
Range: Indo-West Pacific Ocean: Moluccas to Fiji, north to Taiwan and Southern Japan, south to New Caledonia and the Great Barrier Reef.
Size: 5 inches (13 cm)
Natural Environment: Inhabits inshore coral reefs near caves and ledges where it often swims upside-down in these areas, and is usually found in small groups at depths between 50 to about 200 feet (15 – 60 m) where it feeds on zooplankton.
General Husbandry: Occasionally available in the trade, and quite attractive, with a high body that is pinkish-orange with the males larger than the females.
Somewhat hardy and best maintained in aquaria with many rocky caves and ledges and with moderate water movement. Tankmates should be peaceful.
As to diet, will eat most regular aquarium foods, e.g., finely chopped various frozen or fresh meaty foods such as mysis, squid, fish flesh, shrimp, clam, etc., and should be offered at least twice daily and dispensed upstream so water currents carry food to their location.
Sometimes difficult to get feeding, and if so, fortified live adult brine shrimp may be necessary until they accept other types of aquarium foods, e.g., frozen foods and fresh marine fish and invertebrate flesh.
Taxonomy:
Order: Perciformes
Suborder: Percoidei
Family: Serranidae
Subfamily: Anthiinae
Genus: Serranocirrhitus
FYI: Usually quite shy, and must have numerous caves and ledges to investigate and hide when feeling threatened.
Experience Level: Intermediate
Temperament: Peaceful
Diet: Carnivore
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: 75 gallons
Temperature Range: 72 - 80°F (22 – 27°C)
Specific Gravity: 1.020 - 1.026
pH: 8.0 - 8.5
