Saltcorner
By Bob Goemans
By Bob Goemans
Likely Reef Tank Suitable
Likely Fish-Only Tank Suitable
Range: Western Atlantic Ocean: Southern Florida, Bahamas, Caribbean, to northern South America.
Size: 4 inches (10 cm)
Natural Environment: Inhabits crevices in coral reefs and can be found at depths between 15 – 150 feet (5 – 45 m), yet because of its secretiveness, usually collected at depths below 130 feet (40 m), where it feeds mainly on smaller fishes and crustaceans.
General Husbandry: Rarely seen in the trade, and quite attractive having a yellowish tan body with several horizontal bright red bands. Dorsal has black spot and tail as black edging. Usually quite expensive due to its collection depths.
Best maintained in reef aquariums, yet can also be maintained in fish-only aquariums if they have many rocky hiding places/crevices to investigate or take shelter, as most in this family are quite shy/secretive. May hide for several days upon entering the aquarium, yet will become bolder as time passes and will spend most of its time in full view.
As to diet, products such as marine fish and crustacean flesh, clams, and other marine meaty foods should make up the majority of their diet. Therefore a meaty diet such as enriched finely chopped fresh fish or shrimp flesh, and/or frozen carnivore foods should be fed every other day, or about three times per week in well-established aquariums. In newly established aquariums, feed once every day.
Taxonomy:
Order: Perciformes
Suborder: Percoidei
Family: Serranidae
Subfamily: Liopropomatinae
Genus: Liopropoma
FYI: Most often collected at depths below 100 feet (30 m), and may be seen more often if maintained in a dimly lit tank.
Experience Level: Intermediate
Temperament: Peaceful, yet will eat smaller fishes and crustaceans
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: Peaceful
Minimum Tank Size: 30+ gallons
Temperature Range: 68 - 81°F (20 – 27°C)
Specific Gravity: 1.020 - 1.026
pH: 8.0 - 8.5
