Saltcorner
By Bob Goemans
By Bob Goemans
Not Reef Tank Suitable
Likely Fish-Only Tank Suitable
Range: Eastern Pacific Ocean: Santa Catalina Island, Southern California, USA to Peru including the Galapagos Islands
Size: 6 inches (15 cm)
Natural Environment: Inhabits rocky boulder strewn reef areas at a depth of 40 to 500 feet (12 – 150 m) and usually only seen in very deep waters, about 300 feet (90 m). It most often occurs singly and feeds on worms, crustaceans, and black coral polyps.
General Husbandry: This rarely ever collected species, and another deep cool water species in this genus is quite similar in coloration to P. carlhubbsi, as it has a yellowish silvery body with an inverted ‘V’ black band on the body, a narrow black band over the head connecting both eyes, and yellow and black in the dorsal, anal, and pelvic fins.
When available and provided suitable living conditions, perferrably having water temperatures in the mid 60’s, is said to adapt quite easily to aquarium life in larger peaceful fish-only cool water community aquariums, especially those with lots of open swimming space. Cannot be housed with others in the same genus, nor is safe with tubeworms, crustaceans, and quite possibly many other forms of benthic invertebrates.
A meaty diet of live fortified brine shrimp, black worms (Lumbriculus variegatus), and/or various frozen meaty foods such as mysis should be offered several times daily.
Should there be a problem getting this species to feed in the aquarium, small human consumption clams/black mussels purchased in local grocery stores and placed on the half-shell in the aquarium may help entice it to begin feeding.
Taxonomy:
Order: Perciformes
Suborder: Percoidei
Family: Chaetodontidae
Genus: Prognathodes
FYI: Those in this genus are usually referred to as ‘Longnose Butterflyfish.’
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: Professional
Temperament: Peaceful
Diet: Carnivore
Coral Safe: No
Invertebrate Safe: No
Acclimation Time: 30 minutes+
Aquarium Environment: Fish-only aquarium
Tankmates: Peaceful or non-aggressive
Minimum Tank Size: 100 gallons
Temperature Range: 61 - 68°F (16 – 20°C)
Specific Gravity: 1.020 -1.026
pH: 8.0 - 8.5
