Saltcorner
By Bob Goemans
By Bob Goemans
Likely Reef Tank Suitable
Likely Fish-Only Tank Suitable
Range: Eastern Pacific Ocean: Central Gulf of California to Ecuador and the Galapagos Islands.
Size: 10 inches (25 cm)
Natural Environment: Inhabits boulder reefs exposed to strong surge at depths between 3 to about 25 feet (1 – 8 m) and mainly feeds on algae, yet also somewhat on benthic invertebrates.
General Husbandry: Quite drab and rarely ever seen the trade because as with all in this genus, it would not be a good peaceful community fish in most home aquariums. The juvenile has bright blue on the back, with orange or yellow on the belly, whereas adults are dark brown or black with purple eyes and a large bump on the forehead.
Must be housed with very aggressive fishes, e.g., dottybacks, large angelfishes and surgeonfishes, and triggerfishes.
As to aquarium environment, provide a boulder habitat with hiding places, and very good water movement.
As to diet, a meaty diet, e.g., live fortified brine shrimp and/or finely chopped various frozen or fresh meaty foods such as mysis, squid, fish flesh, shrimp, clam and plant material, e.g., flake foods, especially those containing Spirulina should be offered several times daily.
Taxonomy:
Order: Perciformes
Suborder: Labroidei
Family: Pomacentridae
Subfamily: Pomacentrinae
Genus: Microspathodon
FYI: Think twice before putting these in your aquarium!
Best left in the wild.
Experience Level: Professional
Temperament: Very aggressive
Diet: Omnivore
Coral Safe: Yes
Invertebrate Safe: With caution
Acclimation Time: 30 minutes+
Aquarium Environment: Reef or fish-only aquarium
Tankmates: Very aggressive
Minimum Tank Size: 300 gallons
Temperature Range: 68 - 82°F (20 – 27°C)
Specific Gravity: 1.020 - 1.026
pH: 8.0 - 8.5
