Care Level: Easy

Temperament: Peaceful

Reef Compatible: No

General Description: The Black & White Heniochus Butterflyfish, also referred to as the Longfin Bannerfish, has a wide distribution throughout Fiji, Africa, and the Indo-Pacific. With its pronounced white dorsal filament, black and white striped body and yellow caudal fin, the Black & white heniochus brings a lot of character into the home aquarium. Nearly identical to the Schooling Bannerfish (Heniochus diphreutes), the Black & white heniochus has a more protruding snout and less rounder belly in comparison. Unlike most butterflyfish, the Black & white heniochus can be quite hardy if acclimated properly into the correct environment. The Black & white heniochus does not make a good reef inhabitant, as they have been observed to nip at sessile invertebrates and corals. An adult Black & white heniochus can reach a size of approximately 8″.

Diet Requirements: The Black & white heniochus is an omnivore. A diet consisting of various frozen meaty preparations such as brine shrimp, spirulina brine shrimp, mysis shrimp, and other mixed foods with herbivore components will maintain optimal health, immune function and coloration. We highly encourage soaking frozen foods in vitamin and fatty acid supplements, as butterflyfish have high metabolisms. Heniochus butterflyfish will often also accept high quality flake foods.

Care Requirements: An established, minimum 125 gallon aquarium is ideal; a group of heniochus will require a larger aquarium. Smaller specimens can be temporarily raised in smaller quarters (no less than 75 gallons) as long as it is upgraded accordingly. The Black & white heniochus will appreciate some live rock and crevices to swim through and take refuge. Butterflyfish are sensitive to nitrite and ammonia spikes, and an established tank will also offer more abundant microfauna to forage on. Given their peaceful nature and dorsal filament, Black & white heniochus should not be kept with overly aggressive species. Compatability with other butterfly species is variable. Several Black & white heniochus can be kept together so long as they are all introduced at once. A group will make for an eye-catching display in a relatively peaceful fish only with live rock aquarium as they school together. Recommended water conditions, 72-78° F, KH 8-12, pH 8.1-8.4, salinity 1.020-1.025.

Purchase Size: Small: 1-1/4″ to 2-1/2″; Medium: 2-3/4″ to 3-1/2″; Large: 3-3/4″ to 4-3/4″; XLarge: 5″ or larger.

Note: Your item may not look identical to the image provided due to variation within species. Purchase size is approximate.