Animal Species:Longfin Bannerfish, Heniochus acuminatus (Linnaeus, 1758)

Adult Longfin Bannerfish have a long tapering dorsal filament. The species occurs throughout the tropical Indo-West and Central Pacific.

Longfin Bannerfish, caught off Waianae, Hawaii

Longfin Bannerfish, caught off Waianae, Hawaii
Amanda Hay © Australian Museum

Alternative Name/s

Common Bannerfish, Feather-fin Bullfish, Pennant Coralfish, Reef Bannerfish

Identification

Adult Longfin Bannerfish have a long tapering dorsal filament. The body is white with two broad black bands. The soft dorsal and caudal fins are yellow.

Size range

The species grows to 25 cm in length.

Similar Species

The Schooling Bannerfish, Heniochus diphreutes, looks very similar, but can be distinguished by a more rounded profile under the head and a shorter snout. The second black band is located further forward on the anal fin and there is an additional dorsal fin spine (12 vs 11).

Distribution

It occurs throughout the tropical Indo-West and Central Pacific. In Australia it is known from south-western Western Australia, around the tropical north, and south to the southern coast of New South Wales.

Distribution by collection data

Biomaps map of Longfin Bannerfish specimens in the Australian Museum collection.

What does this mean?

Habitat

The Longfin Bannerfish is usually found at depths from 2 m to 75 m, in sheltered coastal bays and coral reef waters.

Feeding and Diet

The species eats zooplankton and bottom-living invertebrates.

Classification

Species:
acuminatus
Genus:
Heniochus
Family:
Chaetodontidae
Order:
Perciformes
Class:
Actinopterygii
Subphylum:
Vertebrata
Phylum:
Chordata
Kingdom:
Animalia

What does this mean?

References

  1. Allen, G.R., Steene, R. & M. Allen. 1998. A Guide to Angelfishes & Butterflyfishes. Odyssey Publishing/Tropical Reef Research. Pp. 250.
  2. Hoese, D.F., Bray, D.J., Paxton, J.R. & G.R. Allen. 2006. Fishes. In Beesley, P.L. & A. Wells. (eds) Zoological Catalogue of Australia. Volume 35. ABRS & CSIRO Publishing: Australia. parts 1-3, pages 1-2178.
  3. Hutchins, B. & R. Swainston. 1986. Sea Fishes of Southern Australia. Complete Field Guide for Anglers and Divers. Swainston publishing. Pp. 180.
  4. Kuiter, R.H. 1993. Coastal Fishes of South-Eastern Australia. Crawford House Press. Pp. 437.
  5. Kuiter, R.H. 1996. Guide to Sea Fishes of Australia. New Holland. Pp. 433.
  6. Randall, J.E., Allen, G.R & R.C. Steene. 1990. Fishes of the Great Barrier Reef and Coral Sea. Crawford House Press. Pp. 507.


Mark McGrouther , Collection Manager, Ichthyology
Last Updated:

Tags Fishes, Ichthyology, Longfin Bannerfish, Heniochus acuminatus, Chaetodontidae,