Saltcorner
By Bob Goemans
By Bob Goemans
Not Reef Tank Suitable
Likely Fish-Only Tank Suitable
Range: Eastern Central Atlantic Ocean: St. Paul’s Rocks, Brazil.
Size: 5 inches (12 cm)
Natural Environment: Inhabits rocky vertical reefs at depths between 180 to 300 feet (50 – 90 m) and feeds on benthic invertebrates.
General Husbandry: This rarely ever collected species, one that has very limited global access, is another in this genus that comes from deep waters. It has a brownish body with a trianular shaped white patch on the upper rear corner of the body and adjacent dorsal fin, and a white peduncle.
When available and provided suitable living conditions, perferrably having water temperatures in the mid 70’s, is said to adapt quite easily to aquarium life in larger peaceful fish-only 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: Quite expensive, not only because its areas of collection are quite limited, it also needs to undergo decompression stops to prevent injury to its gas bladder since its captured in deep waters.
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: 74 - 79°F (23 – 26°C)
Specific Gravity: 1.020 -1.026
pH: 8.0 - 8.5
