Saltcorner
By Bob Goemans
By Bob Goemans
Not Reef Tank Suitable
Likely Fish-Only Tank Suitable
Range: Indo-West Pacific Ocean: East Africa to Samoa, north to Southern Japan, and south to the Great Barrier Reef.
Size: 5 inches (12 cm)
Natural Environment: Inhabits shallow lagoons and seaward reefs in areas of dense coral growth and usually found at depths between 25 – 100 feet (8 – 30 m) where it feeds on stony coral polyps.
General Husbandry: Rarely seen in the trade with males, females and juveniles having similar coloration, with a blackish body, yellow dorsal, and thin white stripes from the snout to the tail.
Best house in a fish-only aquarium having several rocky crevices to sleep in, yet could be maintained in a reef aquarium having only soft corals.
As to diet, even though coral polyps are desired, this species has been known to accept various products such as marine fish and crustacean flesh, clams, and other marine meaty foods, with being fed twice daily. Nevertheless, its main diet is live stony coral polyps, and feeding regular aquarium foods does not always sustain this species.
Taxonomy:
Order: Perciformes
Suborder: Labroidei
Family: Labridae
Genus: Labropsis
FYI: May jump out of uncovered aquariums.
One per tank.
Experience Level: Intermediate
Temperament: Peaceful
Diet: Carnivore
Coral Safe: Yes
Fish Safe: Yes
Invertebrate Safe: With caution
Acclimation Time: 30 minutes+
Aquarium Environment: Fish-only aquarium
Tankmates: Peaceful
Minimum Tank Size: 60 gallons
Temperature Range: 74 - 80°F (23 – 27°C)
Specific Gravity: 1.020 - 1.026
pH: 8.0 - 8.5
