Saltcorner
By Bob Goemans
By Bob Goemans
Not Reef Tank Suitable
Likely Fish-Only Tank Suitable
Range: Eastern Pacific Ocean: Gulf of California to Panama and the Galapagos Islands
Size: 8 inches (20 cm)
Natural Environment: Inhabits rocky coastal coral reef slopes at depths of 10 – 130 feet (3 – 40 m) and feeds on worms, snails, crustaceans and algae. Sets up cleaning stations in the wild.
General Husbandry: This attractive and rarely seen in the trade species has a yellowish-silvery body marked with black bands along the base of the dorsal fin, snout, and forehead, and a black, bandit-like mask around the eyes.
Usually adapts quite easily in already established larger peaceful fish-only community aquariums, especially those with lots of open swimming area. Can also be maintained with somewhat more aggressive species, but should be introduced into the aquarium prior to more aggressive species being introduced. More than one can also be maintained in the same aquarium if all are introduced at the same time.
A meaty diet of live fortified brine shrimp, black worms (Lumbriculus variegatus), and/or various flake (containing Spirulina) and frozen meaty foods such as mysis, should be offered several times daily.
Not trustworthy in reef aquariums, as its known to nip at various corals, both soft and stony, and also consume small invertebrate.
Rarely is there a problem getting this species to feed in the aquarium, however, small human consumption clams/black mussels purchased in local grocery stores and placed on the half-shell in the aquarium will help entice it to begin feeding. Over time, frozen foods like mysis and brine shrimp will be more readily accepted.
Taxonomy:
Order: Perciformes
Suborder: Percoidei
Family: Chaetodontidae
Genus: Johnrandallia
FYI: The only species in this genus.
Pressing some soft foods into openings/crevices on a piece of old dead coral skeleton can sometimes encourage finicky eaters to begin feeding.
Experience Level: Intermediate
Temperament: Peaceful
Diet: Omnivore
Coral Safe: No
Invertebrate Safe: No
Acclimation Time: 30 minutes+
Aquarium Environment: Fish-only aquarium.
Tankmates: Peaceful or non-aggressive
Minimum Tank Size: 75 gallons
Temperature Range: 68 - 82°F (20 – 27°C)
Specific Gravity: 1.020-1.026
pH: 8.0 - 8.5
