Saltcorner
By Bob Goemans
By Bob Goemans
Likely Reef Tank Suitable
Likely Fish-Only Tank Suitable
Range: Indo-West Pacific Ocean: Gulf of Aqaba and southeast coast of Africa to Marquesas Islands.
Size: 5 inches (13 cm)
Natural Environment: Inhabits holes and crevices high up on the reef and usually found at depths between 6 – 130 feet (2 – 40 m) where it feeds mostly on zooplankton rather than algae.
General Husbandry: Somewhat common in the trade with a long slender body, somewhat orange to salmon-pink, with the face having yellow and gold markings. Eyes are usually bright blue and between them are a pair of slender antennae called ‘cirri,’ which are characteristic of this family of Blennies.
May exhibit a rapid color change when stressed and be territorial, yet usually peaceful. In the wild often swims with Anthias, which is a form of self-protection. At night they usually sleep with the head protruding from their hole or crevice and turn a white with the face turning a dark brown. They also tend to rock back and forth, as if nodding their head while sleeping.
Can be maintained in either fish-only or reef aquariums having rocky areas with caves, crevices and/or holes to hide and sleep in.
Requires a meaty diet, including fortified brine shrimp, mysis, and other meaty type marine fresh or frozen foods, which should be finely chopped and dispensed upstream so the water current brings the food to within the area it inhabits. Diet should also contain small amounts of Spirulina algae. Needs two feedings per day.
Taxonomy:
Order: Perciformes
Suborder: Blennioidei
Family: Blenniidae
Genus: Ecsenius
FYI: They are hardy and adapt well to aquarium life.
A good jumper, so you may need a covered tank.
They can become pet-like, and appear quite interested in what is happening outside the aquarium.
Have no swimbladder and therefore can't maintain neutral buoyancy like most other fishes. Once they stop swimming, they sink.
Experience Level: Beginner
Temperament: Peaceful
Diet: Omnivore
Coral Safe: With caution
Fish Safe: Yes
Invertebrate Safe: With caution
Acclimation Time: 30 minutes+
Aquarium Environment: Reef or fish-only aquarium
Tankmates: Peaceful
Minimum Tank Size: 30 gallons
Temperature Range: 72 - 82°F (22 – 27°C)
Specific Gravity: 1.020 - 1.026
pH: 8.0 - 8.5
