Common name: Schooling bannerfish
General information
The Schooling Bannerfish, Heniochus diphreutes, is a peaceful and graceful addition to any large saltwater aquarium. It is often mistaken for the Moorish Idol due to its similar appearance, but it is a member of the butterflyfish family. Unlike the Moorish Idol, the Schooling Bannerfish is more adaptable to aquarium life and is less demanding in terms of care.
Details
- Recommended minimum tank volume
- 300 liter (79 gallons)
- Salinity
- S.G. 1.020 to 1.025
- Temperature
- 22 to 27 °C (72 to 81 °F)
- Acidity
- pH 8.1 to 8.4
- Average size
- 25 cm (10″)
- Care level
- Moderate to easy Prone to ich, needs varied diet
- Diet
- Planktivore Enjoys mysis, brine shrimp
- Social
- Pair Can be kept in pairs or groups
- Reefsafe
- Yes
- Aggression
- Peaceful
- Captive bred
- No
- Conservation statusSource: IUCN Red List
Taxonomy
- KingdomAnimalsAnimalia
- PhylumChordatesChordata
- ClassRay-finned FishesActinopterygii
- OrderPerch-like FishesPerciformes
- FamilyButterflyfishChaetodontidae
- GenusBannerfishHeniochus
- SpeciesSchooling bannerfishHeniochus diphreutes Jordan, 1903
- SynonymsHeniochus diphreustes Jordan, 1903
Care
Heniochus diphreutes is a hardy species that adapts well to captivity. It requires a large tank with plenty of swimming space and stable water conditions. This species is not considered reef-safe as it may nip at soft corals and some invertebrates. A varied diet of meaty foods, marine flakes, and pellets is essential for their health.
Reproduction
In the wild, Schooling Bannerfish form large groups and are pelagic spawners, releasing their eggs into the water column. Breeding in captivity is rare and challenging, but maintaining a group in a species-only tank with controlled conditions may encourage spawning behavior.
Habitat
Heniochus diphreutes is commonly found in open waters and reef slopes, often in large schools. They are distributed across the Indo-Pacific region, from the Red Sea and East Africa to the Hawaiian Islands and Japan.