Saltcorner
By Bob Goemans
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Chlidichthys

Chlidichthys inornatus

Lubbock, 1976

Inornate Dottyback, Yellow Dottyback

Likely Reef Tank Suitable

Likely Fish-Only Tank Suitable

Range: Western Indian Ocean: Maldives.

Size: 2 inches (4 cm)

Natural Environment: Inhabits crevices in back of caves or hides under ledges in coastal lagoons and on reef faces from 15 to 65 feet (5 – 20 m) it feeds mainly on small worms and crustaceans/zooplankton.

General Husbandry: Rarely ever seen in the trade, having light yellowish-green body.

Best maintained in a well established reef aquarium having many rocky hiding places/crevices to investigate or take shelter, as this species is somewhat shy/secretive. Can also be kept in a fish-only aquarium, but it should also have many well-established rocky hiding places/crevices to investigate or take shelter. Will remain secretive and may become difficult to feed. Should there not be enough natural foods in the aquarium, this species may become difficult to maintain long-term.

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 daily.

May be necessary to feed live adult enriched brine shrimp and/or black worms (Lumbriculus variegatus) to sustain this species, especially so in aquariums having competition for microorganisms.

Taxonomy:

    Order: Perciformes

    Suborder: Percoidei

    Family: Pseudochromidae

    Subfamily: Pseudoplesiopinae

    Genus: Chlidichthys

FYI: Will be picked on by more aggressive tankmates.

    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: 20+ gallons

    Temperature Range: 73 - 82°F (23 – 28°C)

    Specific Gravity: 1.020 - 1.026

    pH: 8.0 - 8.5

 Chlidichthys inornatus (Inornate Dottyback, Yellow Dottyback)
Photo © nangokulife.net
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