Longfin Bannerfish, Heniochus acuminatus (Linnaeus, 1758)

Scientific name: Heniochus acuminatus
Alternative name/s:
Common Bannerfish, Feather-fin Bullfish, Pennant Coralfish, Reef Bannerfish
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).
  • Author(s)
    Mark McGrouther
  • Updated
    30/03/21
  • Read time
    2 minutes
Heniochus acuminatus Click to enlarge image
A 17 mm SL Bannerfish from the Australian Museum fish collection (AMS I.25367-007). The fish was caught at a depth of 10 m, off Waianae, Oahu, Hawaii, June 1983. Image: Amanda Hay
© Australian Museum

Fast Facts

  • Classification
    Genus
    Heniochus
    Species
    acuminatus
    Family
    Chaetodontidae
    Order
    Perciformes
    Class
    Actinopterygii
    Subphylum
    Vertebrata
    Phylum
    Chordata
    Kingdom
    Animalia
  • Size Range
    The species grows to 25 cm in length.

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.

Habitat

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

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.

The map below shows the Australian distribution of the species based on public sightings and specimens in Australian Museums. Click on the map for detailed information. Source: Atlas of Living Australia.

Distribution data sourced from the Atlas of Living Australia

Feeding and diet

The species eats zooplankton and bottom-living invertebrates.

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.