Saltcorner
By Bob Goemans
By Bob Goemans
Not Reef Tank Suitable
Likely Fish-Only Tank Suitable
Range: Western Pacific Ocean: Western Australia with some found in Indonesia.
Size: 5 inches (12 cm)
Natural Environment: Inhabits rocky coral reefs and sandy weedy flats and found in small schools in depths between 3 to 100 feet ( 1 – 30 m) and feeds on algae and zooplankton. Occurs in pairs or small groups.
General Husbandry: Has a light brown body, a dark brown band extending from below the eyes, through the eyes and over the head, several dark brown dotted vertical lines on the body, and a black eye spot on the upper rear of the dorsal fin.
Rarely seen in the U.S. hobby since its not as colorfull as others in this genus, and is said to adapt quite easily to slightly cooler water aquarium life in larger peaceful fish-only aquariums, especially those with lots of open swimming space. This species is also a consumer of algae in the wild, therefore, flake foods, especially those containing Spirulina and/or Nori should be offered, as should a meaty diet of live fortified brine shrimp, black worms (Lumbriculus variegatus), and/or various frozen meaty foods such as mysis, and overall be offered several times daily.
May be maintained in pairs or small groups, and even with other species in this family.
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. Over time, frozen foods like mysis and brine shrimp should be more readily accepted.
Taxonomy:
Order: Perciformes
Suborder: Percoidei
Family: Chaetodontidae
Genus: Chaetodon
FYI: Juveniles acclimate more easily to aquarium life than do adults.
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: 55 gallons
Temperature Range: 66 - 78°F (19 – 26°C)
Specific Gravity: 1.020 -1.026
pH: 8.0 - 8.5
