Saltcorner
By Bob Goemans
By Bob Goemans
Likely Reef Tank Suitable
Likely Fish-Only Tank Suitable
Range: Western Central Pacific Ocean: Kwajalein Atoll, Marshall Islands.
Size: 3 inches (8 cm)
Natural Environment: Inhabits steep outer reef slopes and rubble bottoms and usually found at depths between 30 – 130 feet (10– 40 m) where it feeds on zooplankton.
General Husbandry: Rarely seen in the trade with the male having a golden-yellowish body with a pale blue head and numerous darkish blue lines overall. Females are generally similar in colors. Expensive due to its highly limited area of collection.
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.
Not a lot of husbandry exists for this species, therefore it’s not recommended for those new to the hobby.
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.
One male per aquarium.
Males may be aggressive towards other fairy wrasses and zooplankton feeders in the aquarium.
Color tends to fade in captivity.
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: 60 gallons
Temperature Range: 74 - 82°F (23 – 27°C)
Specific Gravity: 1.020 - 1.026
pH: 8.0 - 8.5
