Saltcorner
By Bob Goemans
By Bob Goemans
Likely Reef Tank Suitable
Likely Fish-Only Tank Suitable
Range: Indo-West Pacific Ocean: Nicobar Islands, Andaman Sea, and Japan to the tropical coasts of Australia.
Size: 18 inches (45 cm)
Natural Environment: Inhabits caves and crevices in rocky and rubble zones on near-shore areas and is found between depths of 3 to 30 feet (1 – 10 m) where it feeds on small fishes and crustaceans.
General Husbandry: Occasionally seen in the trade and very hardy. Has an eel-shaped body that is often a light green or brown with white dots that run from the head to the end of the tail. Can also be much lighter in color depending upon surroundings or whether its daytime or nighttime.
Can be maintained in reef or fish-only aquariums having some rocky hiding places/crevices to take shelter, as this species is somewhat secretive. Best housed with larger more moderately aggressive fishes, such as squirrelfishes, angelfishes, surgeonfishes, and rabbitfishes.
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 chopped fresh fish or shrimp flesh, and/or frozen carnivore foods should be fed once daily.
Taxonomy:
Order: Perciformes
Suborder: Percoidei
Family: Pseudochromidae
Subfamily: Congrogadinae
Genus: Congrogadus
FYI: Requires a covered aquarium, as it will sooner or later jump out of an uncovered tank.
Is not an eel or blenny, but is a ‘Dottyback.’
Will eat smaller fishes and ornamental crustaceans.
Is known to crawl on dry areas between tidepools so as to checkout the food supply in various tidepools!
Probably one of the most controversial species occurring in this family.
Experience Level: Beginner
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: Moderately aggressive
Minimum Tank Size: 75+ gallons
Temperature Range: 73 - 81°F (23 – 27°C)
Specific Gravity: 1.020 - 1.026
pH: 8.0 - 8.5
