Saltcorner
By Bob Goemans
By Bob Goemans
Likely Reef Tank Suitable
Likely Fish-Only Tank Suitable
Range: Indo-West Pacific Ocean: East Africa south to Sodwana Bay South Africa and east to the Tuamotu Islands.
Size: 5 inches (12 cm)
Natural Environment: Inhabits rubble areas on patch reefs and around bommies and usually found at depths between 20 – 130 feet (6– 40 m) where it feeds on zooplankton.
General Husbandry: Somewhat common in the trade with the male generally having a greenish body with various red colors on the fins and/or body depending greatly upon the areas of collection and the breeding season. Females are generally drab reddish with a black spot on the caudal peduncle.
Can be maintained in reef or fish-only aquariums that should have ample crevices and caves, and peaceful tankmates.
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 two to three times daily.
Taxonomy:
Order: Perciformes
Suborder: Labroidei
Family: Labridae
Genus: Cirrhilabrus
FYI: Those in this genus may hide for several days when first introduced, and are also good jumpers, therefore covered aquariums, possibly with eggcrate, are necessary to prevent them from jumping out of the aquarium.
They don't bury themselves in the sand at night, as do many other wrasses. Instead, they may form a mucus cocoon similar to some parrotfishes and/or wedge themselves into a rock crevice. It should be noted the cocoon remnants do not seem to harm water quality or other aquarium inhabitants.
Males may be aggressive towards other fairy wrasses and zooplankton feeders in the aquarium.
Males tend to lose their color if females are not present.
Experience Level: Beginner
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: 50 gallons
Temperature Range: 74 - 82°F (23 – 27°C)
Specific Gravity: 1.020 - 1.026
pH: 8.0 - 8.5
