Saltcorner
By Bob Goemans
By Bob Goemans
Not Reef Tank Suitable
Likely Fish-Only Tank Suitable
Range: Central Pacific Ocean: Endemic to the Hawaiian Islands.
Size: 5 inches (12 cm)
Natural Environment: Inhabits rocky reef, large boulder areas at depths of about 6 – 600 feet (2 – 180 m) and feeds on worms, crustaceans, and other benthic invertebrates, along with some algae.
General Husbandry: Quite attractive and has proven to be hardy in captivity. Has a yellow body with several diagonal blue stripes, a black crown on the forehead, and a half circle-shaped black patch on the rear of the body with its center at the peduncle, which is white. Dorsal, anal, pelvic and tail fins are yellow.
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, a meaty diet of live fortified brine shrimp and/or black worms (Lumbriculus variegatus) is a good beginning. Once feeding regularly, various frozen meaty foods such as mysis, can be offered several times daily.
Note, even though this species is technically listed as a carnivore, its also known to injest some algae in the wild when more preferred foods are not plentiful, therefore flake foods, especially those containing Spirulina and/or Nori should also be occasionally offered.
Should there be a problem getting this species to feeds, 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. Furthermore, if feeding in captivity begins, this becomes a very hardy species!
Taxonomy:
Order: Perciformes
Suborder: Percoidei
Family: Chaetodontidae
Genus: Chaetodon
FYI: Should not be maintained with others in the same genus, unless a mated pair.
Reported to be safe with soft corals.
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: Carnivore
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: 72 - 82°F (22 – 28°C)
Specific Gravity: 1.020 -1.026
pH: 8.0 - 8.5
