Singular Bannerfish, Heniochus singularius Smith & Radcliffe, 1911

Scientific name: Heniochus singularius
Singular Bannerfish Click to enlarge image
A Singular Bannerfish at a depth of 10m, Osprey Reef, Coral Sea, December 2000. Image: Erik Schlögl
© Erik Schlögl

Fast Facts

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

Introduction

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

Identification

The side of the Singular Bannerfish has a diffuse white bar with dark scale centres. This is bordered in front and behind by black bars. There is a dark bar through the eye and another encircling the snout.

A white filament extends from the fourth dorsal fin spine. The remainder of the dorsal fin and caudal fin are both yellow.

There is a prominent hump on the nape.

Distribution

The Singular Bannerfish is found in tropical marine waters throughout the Indo-West and Central Pacific. In Australia it occurs from central to north-western Western Australia and from the entire length of the Great Barrier Reef, Queensland.

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 coral polyps, benthic invertebrates and algae.

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. Allen, G.R. & R. Swainston. 1988. The Marine Fishes of North-Western Australia. A Field Guide for Anglers and Divers. Western Australian Museum. Pp. 201.
  4. Kuiter, R.H. 1996. Guide to Sea Fishes of Australia. New Holland. Pp. 433.
  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.