Saltcorner
By Bob Goemans
By Bob Goemans
Not Reef Tank Suitable
Likely Fish-Only Tank Suitable
Range: Western Pacific Ocean: Endemic to the Marianas Islands (Guam, Tinian, Saipan, and Maug).
Size: 5 inches (12 cm)
Natural Environment: Inhabits coastal fore-reef drop-offs rich in black coral and gorgonian growths at depths between 120 to 300 feet (35 – 90 m) and mainly feeds on zooplankton, tubeworms, and other benthic invertebrates.
General Husbandry: Quite pretty, yet rarely collect and when available usually expensive due to its limited areas of collection and depth collected. Has a diangonally divided body, with the frontal lower half silvery white, and the upper rear jet black. There’s also a yellow eye band, and another over the crown of the head.
Is said to be very hardy and adapts readily to aquarium life when its housed in larger peaceful fish-only aquariums, especially those with lots of open swimming space, and live rock hiding places. It also said to be quite easy to feed in captivity and a meaty diet of live fortified brine shrimp, black worms (Lumbriculus variegatus), and/or various frozen meaty foods such as mysis, which should be offered several times daily.
Should there be a problem getting this species to feed, 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 may be more readily accepted.
Taxonomy:
Order: Perciformes
Suborder: Percoidei
Family: Chaetodontidae
Genus: Chaetodon
FYI: Juveniles acclimate more easily to aquarium life than do adults.
Preferably maintained without others in the same genus.
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: Carnivore
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
