Saltcorner
By Bob Goemans
By Bob Goemans
Not Reef Tank Suitable
Likely Fish-Only Tank Suitable
Range: Indo-West Pacific Ocean: East African to Pitcairn Islands, north to Southern Japan, and south to Lord Howe and Rapa Islands.
Size: 7 inches (18 cm)
Natural Environment: Inhabits coastal lagoon and reef areas rich in stony coral growth at depths between 15 to 100 feet (5 – 30 m) and feeds almost entirely on stony coral polyps and some algae.
General Husbandry: This quite attractive, almost completely bright yellow species, has a large black patch encircled by bright blue below the dorsal fin, a wide vertical black eye stripe edged in blue, and two curved blue lines above the belly. Nevertheless, rarely seen in the U.S. aquarium hobby because it has a poor survial rate due to its refusal to eat common aquarium foods.
Should be housed in larger peaceful fish-only aquariums, especially those with lots of open swimming space, live rock hiding places, and having micro and macroalgae growths. As to diet, even though its technically listed as an Omnivore, its recommended a meaty diet of live fortified brine shrimp, black worms (Lumbriculus variegatus), and small live clams/black mussels be offered several times daily.
Note, some success with this species has been obtained by spreading chopped squid and krill on live rock to induce it to feed.
Taxonomy:
Order: Perciformes
Suborder: Percoidei
Family: Chaetodontidae
Genus: Chaetodon
FYI: Juveniles may acclimate more easily to aquarium life than adults.
Pressing some soft foods into openings/crevices on a piece of old dead coral skeleton can sometimes encourage finicky eaters to begin feeding.
Best left in the wild!
Experience Level: Professional
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: 72 - 82°F (22 – 28°C)
Specific Gravity: 1.020 -1.026
pH: 8.0 - 8.5
