Care Level: Easy
Temperament: Peaceful
Reef Compatible: No
General Description: The Red Sea Bannerfish, or Heniochus, is a real showstopper endemic to the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden between the continents of Africa and Asia. With its pronounced white dorsal filament, black and white striped body tinged in yellow-orange, and its yellow caudal and pectoral fins, the Red Sea bannerfish brings a lot of character and beauty into the home aquarium. Unlike most butterflyfish, the Red Sea bannerfish can be quite hardy if acclimated properly into the correct environment. Bannerfish are best maintained in pairs or small groups. The Red Sea bannerfish does not make a good reef inhabitant, as they have been observed to nip at sessile invertebrates and corals. An adult Red Sea bannerfish can reach a size of approximately 7″. Note: Red Sea bannerfish are infrequently available.
Diet Requirements: The Red Sea bannerfish 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. Bannerfish will often also accept high quality flake foods and may even nibble at algae sheets.
Care Requirements: An established, minimum 125 gallon aquarium is ideal; with maturity and size, Red Sea bannerfish will require a larger aquarium. The Red Sea bannerfish will appreciate some live rock and crevices to swim through and take refuge but some unobstructed swimming space should also be provided. Butterflyfish are sensitive to nitrite and ammonia spikes and therefore should not be introduced into a biologically immature aquarium. An established tank will also offer more abundant microfauna to forage on. Given their peaceful nature and dorsal filament, Red Sea bannerfish should not be kept with overly aggressive species or those that will nip at its delicate filament. Compatability with other butterfly species is variable. Several Red Sea bannerfish 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: 1-1/2″ to 2-1/4″; Medium: 2-1/4″ to 3-1/2″; Large: 3-1/2″ to 4-1/2″
Note: Your item may not look identical to the image provided due to variation within species. Purchase size is approximate.
