Saltcorner
By Bob Goemans
By Bob Goemans
Not Reef Tank Suitable
Likely Fish-Only Tank Suitable
Range: Southeastern Pacific Ocean: Easter Island.
Size: 6 inches (15 cm)
Natural Environment: Inhabits brown algae covered volcanic boulders at depths between 3 – 80 feet (1 – 25 m) and feeds on worms, crustaceans, barnacles, and other benthic invertebrates.
General Husbandry: Rarely collected for the trade because of its limited collection area and its rather drab appearance, i.e., having a greyish body with its scales edged in white, and its dorsal and anal fins edged in white.
There is very little aquarium husbandry information available for this species, however, it should be maintained at slightly cooler water temperatures than what most hobbyist aquariums are maintained, e.g., no higher than mid 70’s.
Peaceful fish-only aquariums, especially those with lots of open swimming space, and live rock hiding places will suite this very hardy species quite well. As to diet, a meaty diet of live fortified brine shrimp and/or black worms (Lumbriculus variegatus) can be considered a treat, as this species is quite easy to feed on various frozen meaty foods such as mysis, which should be offered several times daily. An additional treat would be small human consumption clams/black mussels purchased in local grocery stores and placed on the half-shell in the aquarium.
Taxonomy:
Order: Perciformes
Suborder: Percoidei
Family: Chaetodontidae
Genus: Chaetodon
FYI: Can be maintained with others in the same genus or with others from other butterflyfish genera is all introduced at the same time.
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: 75 gallons
Temperature Range: 68 - 75°F (20 – 24°C)
Specific Gravity: 1.020 -1.026
pH: 8.0 - 8.5
