Saltcorner
By Bob Goemans
By Bob Goemans
Likely Reef Tank Suitable
Likely Fish-Only Tank Suitable
Range: Western Atlantic Ocean: Southern Florida and the Bahamas, south to Curacao.
Size: 3 inches (7 cm)
Natural Environment: Inhabits reef crevices, coral heads and small caves at depths between 3 - 50 feet (1 - 15 m) and feeds on small fishes and benthic invertebrate.
General Husbandry: Very secretive and very rarely seen in the trade, having a completely black body and fins.
Best maintained in small reef or fish-only aquariums with several hiding places, as it’s quite shy. In fact, its owner may never see it again if there are many hiding places!
As to diet, it can be fed enriched live adult brine shrimp or a wide variety of frozen or fresh finely chopped meaty foodstuffs. Should be fed at least once per day, usually during evening hours when the aquarium is in darkness. (Use a red light to find the location of the fish, and then offer it the food).
Taxonomy:
Order: Ophidiiformes
Suborder: Bythitoidei
Family: Bythitidae
Subfamily: Brosmophycinae
Genus: Stygnobrotula
FYI: Highly cryptic/nocturnal.
Not safe with very small fish, small crabs, or small ornamental crustaceans.
Gives birth to live young.
Experience Level: Intermediate
Temperament: Peaceful (will eat smaller fish 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: 10+ gallons
Temperature Range: 74 - 82°F (23 – 28°C)
Specific Gravity: 1.020 - 1.026
pH: 8.0 - 8.5
