Masked Bannerfish, Heniochus monoceros (Cuvier, 1831)

Introduction

The Masked Bannerfish can be recognised by its distinctive colouration. The species occurs in tropical marine waters throughout the Indo-West and Central Pacific.

Identification

The Masked Bannerfish can be recognised by its colouration. It has a black face with white lines above and in front of the eyes. The nape is brown. There is a broad black bar crossing the body from behind the dorsal fin filament to the black pelvic fins.

Distribution

The Masked Bannerfish is found in tropical marine waters throughout the Indo-West and Central Pacific.In Australia it occurs from the offshore reefs of north-western Western Australia and from the northern Great Barrier Reef south to central 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.

Feeding and diet

It eats mostly benthic invertebrates such as polychaete worms.

References

1. Allen, G.R. 1997. Marine Fishes of Tropical Australia and South-east Asia. Western Australian Museum. Pp. 292.
2. Allen, G.R., Steene, R. & M. Allen. 1998. A Guide to Angelfishes & Butterflyfishes. Odyssey Publishing/Tropical Reef Research. Pp. 250.
3. Kuiter, R.H. 1996. Guide to Sea Fishes of Australia. New Holland. Pp. 433.
4. Kuiter, R.H. 2000. Coastal Fishes of South-eastern Australia. Gary Allen. Pp. 437.
5. Randall, J.E., Allen, G.R. & R.C. Steene. 1997. Fishes of the Great Barrier Reef and Coral Sea. Crawford House Press. Pp. 557.