Saltcorner
By Bob Goemans
By Bob Goemans
Likely Reef Tank Suitable
Likely Fish-Only Tank Suitable
Range: Indo-West Pacific Ocean: East Africa to Hawaiian and Ducie Islands.
Size: 5 inches (14 cm)
Natural Environment: Inhabits patches of rubble, caves or branches of corals on seaward reefs and usually found at depths between 6 – 150 feet (2 – 45 m) where it feeds on small benthic invertebrates, mainly small snails, worms, and shrimp.
General Husbandry: Has a temperature range of 75 - 83°F (24 - 28°C) and has a natural diet of benthic invertebrate. Requires a meaty diet consisting of finely chopped enriched fish or shrimp flesh, mysis, and enriched brine shrimp with two to three feedings per day. Very secretive, and should have sufficient hiding places. Can eat the parasitic snails that infest Tridacna clams. A good jumper.
Taxonomy:
Order: Perciformes
Suborder: Labroidei
Family: Labridae
Genus: Pseudocheilinus
FYI: One per aquarium, unless in a very big aquarium and all are introduced at the same time and have different body lengths.
They don't bury themselves in the sand at night, as do many other wrasses. Instead, they rest in rock crevices/caves or branches of corals.
Quite hardy.
If harassed or frightened, may jump out of uncovered aquariums.
An adequate diet seems to be a problem with maintaining those in this genus.
Can eat the parasitic snails that infest Tridacna clams.
Experience Level: Intermediate
Temperament: Semi-aggressive
Diet: Carnivore
Coral Safe: Yes
Fish Safe: With caution
Invertebrate Safe: With caution
Acclimation Time: 30 minutes+
Aquarium Environment: Reef or fish-only aquarium
Tankmates: Larger, and moderately aggressive
Minimum Tank Size: 50 gallons
Temperature Range: 74 - 80°F (23 – 27°C)
Specific Gravity: 1.020 - 1.026
pH: 8.0 - 8.5
