Saltcorner
By Bob Goemans
By Bob Goemans
Likely Reef Tank Suitable
Likely Fish-Only Tank Suitable
Range: Western Atlantic Ocean: Caribbean to Venezuela.
Size: 14 inches (35 cm)
Natural Environment: Inhabits reef areas and generally found in crevices and under rocks in calcareous algae areas.
General Husbandry: Rarely seen in the trade.
Best maintained in aquaria with live rock caves where it can hide during daylight hours and since this is a scavenger, its best not placed in new systems.
During evening hours will search the substrates for organic matter.
A valuable member of a cleanup crew, as it will forge for uneaten foods. Nevertheless, to be sure its getting the nutrition needed, placing several shrimp pellets in dark corners of the aquarium in early evening hours a couple of times monthly may help lengthen its lifespan.
Note: For a photo of this species, see the Baensch Marine Atlas Vol. 3, ISBN #1-890087-20-3, page 1033.
Taxonomy:
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Echinodermata
Class: Ophiuroidea
Order: Ophiurida
Family: Ophiocomidae
Genus: Ophiocoma
FYI: A possible fish and shrimp eater because of its larger size.
Sudden changes in salinity may have a drastic result, therefore acclimate as noted below.
Was previously identified as Ophiocoma riisei.
Experience Level: Intermediate
Diet: Omnivore
Aquarium Environment: Reef or fish-only aquarium
Coral Safe: Yes
Fish Safe: Yes
Invertebrate Safe: Yes
Acclimation Time: Sensitive to specific gravity/salinity changes, therefore be sure to adjust the bag's water to that of the aquarium in which it will be placed by slowly adding small amounts of aquarium water to the bag every few minutes. In most cases, this process should take at least 15 minutes.
Aquarium Hardiness: Moderate
Temperature Range: 68 - 79°F (20 - 26°C)
Minimum Tank Size: 100 gallons
Specific Gravity: 1.023 - 1.025
pH: 8.0 - 8.4
