Saltcorner
By Bob Goemans
By Bob Goemans
Not Reef Tank Suitable
Likely Fish-Only Tank Suitable
Range: South Pacific Ocean: East Coast of Australia: Lowe Howe and Norfolk Islands.
Size: 6 inches (15 cm)
Natural Environment: Inhabits lagoons and outer reef faces rich in coral growth at depths between 10 to 100 feet (3 – 15 m) and mainly feeds on zooplankton and benthic invertebrates.
General Husbandry: This very rarely seen in the trade, yet quite attractive species has a white body with two wide black vertical bands, a brownish-orange eye band, a yellowish-orange bar above the pectoral fin, and yellowish-orange edging on the dorsal and anal fins.
Unfortunately there does not appear to be any aquarium husbandry information on this species since its exceptionally rare in the trade, yet similar care given other species from comparable locals would be its best maintained in larger peaceful fish-only aquariums, especially those with lots of open swimming space and lots live rock hiding places and areas to browse. Nevertheless, cooler water temperatures are required to maintain this species than what most aquarists normally maintain!
As to diet, a meaty diet of live fortified brine shrimp, black worms (Lumbriculus variegatus), and/or various frozen meaty foods such as mysis should be offered several times daily. It is not known if any algae is consumed in the wild, nevertheless, some flake foods, especially those containing Spirulina and/or Nori should also be offered.
And 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.
Should anyone have some aquarium husbandry data on this species, share it with me so I may post it for others to see.
Taxonomy:
Order: Perciformes
Suborder: Percoidei
Family: Chaetodontidae
Genus: Chaetodon
FYI: 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: Professional
Temperament: Peaceful
Diet: Carnivore
Coral Safe: Unknown
Invertebrate Safe: Unknown
Acclimation Time: 30 minutes+
Aquarium Environment: Fish-only aquarium
Tankmates: Peaceful or non-aggressive
Minimum Tank Size: 75 gallons
Temperature Range: 68 - 76°F (20 – 24°C)
Specific Gravity: 1.020 -1.026
pH: 8.0 - 8.5
