Saltcorner
By Bob Goemans
By Bob Goemans
Likely Reef Tank Suitable
Likely Fish-Only Tank Suitable
Range: Western Indian Ocean: Red Sea.
Size: 3 inches (9 cm)
Natural Environment: Inhabits lagoons and outer reef areas over mixed bottom areas with coral growth and usually found at depths between 15 – 150 feet (5 – 45 m) where it feeds on zooplankton.
General Husbandry: Occasionally seen in the trade with the male having a yellowish body with several blue lines lengthwise from the snout to the caudal peduncle, and a vertical blue line on the tail. Females and juveniles are somewhat subdued. Colors vary depending upon the age of the specimen, collection areas, and breeding timeframes.
Can be maintained in reef or fish-only aquariums that should have ample crevices and caves, and peaceful tankmates. Should not be kept with more aggressive fishes, e.g., dottybacks and some damsels.
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: Paracheilinus
FYI: Males are usually larger than females and mostly differ from females in coloration.
Best maintained with several females.
They don't bury themselves in the sand at night, as do many other wrasses. Instead, they wedge themselves into a rock crevice.
They usually make good reef aquarium inhabitants if supplied with ample crevices and caves.
Quite hardy.
If harassed or frightened, may jump out of uncovered aquariums.
Males will harass other species in this genus if maintained in the same aquarium.
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: 50 gallons
Temperature Range: 74 - 82°F (23 – 27°C)
Specific Gravity: 1.020 - 1.026
pH: 8.0 - 8.5
