Saltcorner
By Bob Goemans
By Bob Goemans
Not Reef Tank Suitable
Likely Fish-Only Tank Suitable
Range: Indo-Pacific Ocean: Japan south to Taiwan.
Size: 8 inches (20 cm)
Natural Environment: Inhabits shallow rocky reefs containing coral and algae at depths of 10 – 20 feet (3 – 6 m), yet has been seen as deep as 500 feet (150 m). Feeds on filamentous algae, worms, crustaceans, soft and stony corals, sea anemones, and other invertebrates. Adults normally occur in pairs.
General Husbandry: Rarely seen in the trade due to its small area of distribution and that it prefers somewhat cooler water than what is maintained in most hobbyist aquariums. Nevertheless, quite nice looking as it has a completely yellow body, with a wide black vertical band running through the eyes which is immediately tailed by a white band, and juveniles have a black eye-spot on the upper aft of its dorsal fin, which fades as it moves into adulthood. Dorsal, anal and pelvic fins are bright yellow.
Even though its seen quite rarely in the trade, it does adapt fairly easily to aquarium life, especially in larger peaceful fish-only aquariums with lots of open swimming space and live rock hiding places. Yet does better in low to mid 70 degree waters.
This species is a browser of algae, 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.
It may also decimate Aiptasia anemones, yet there is no clear information on that aspect.
Should there 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, and various fake foods may be more readily accepted.
Taxonomy:
Order: Perciformes
Suborder: Percoidei
Family: Chaetodontidae
Genus: Chaetodon
FYI: Preferably maintained without others in the same genus or having similar coloration.
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: 57 - 76°F (14 – 25°C)
Specific Gravity: 1.020 -1.026
pH: 8.0 - 8.5
