Fish
Longfin Bannerfish
Heniochus acuminatusAlso known as Pennant Coralfish, Reef Bannerfish, Coachman
Longfin bannerfish glide gracefully along sheltered Indo-Pacific reefs, instantly recognizable by their elongated fourth dorsal spine that trails like an elegant white pennant. Adults frequently swim in monogamous pairs or small groups, picking plankton from the water column or grazing tiny invertebrates off rock and coral. Juveniles often act as cleaner fish, nibbling parasites from the skin and gills of larger reef species before transitioning to open foraging.
DiurnalMarineCoral Reef
—observations
—countries
—peak records
Least ConcernConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXLeast ConcernRed List categories, explained →
Diet & preyCopepods, Polychaete Worms, Benthic Algae
Predators
- Moray Eel
- Coral Grouper
- Reef Shark
ThreatsCoral reef degradation, warming ocean waters, and aquarium trade harvesting
HabitatsProtected coastal bays, lagoons, and outer reef slopes
Life span5–10 years
Classification
- OrderPerciformes
- FamilyChaetodontidae
- GenusHeniochus
- SpeciesHeniochus acuminatus
Range data is not available yet.
Interaction riskLow
- Low
- Moderate
- High
- Very high
- Why interaction risk is low
- Safe to observe at a normal distance.
Responsible observation
- Diving Etiquette: Maintain neutral buoyancy to avoid brushing against corals while watching them feed.
- Look-alike Check: Check the breast contour to differentiate solitary adults from the schooling bannerfish.
Look-alike (c) NOAA Photo Library, some rights reserved (CC BY) · cc-by
Close Relative no rights reserved · cc0
Same Family (c) zsispeo, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA) · cc-by-sa
Image unavailableClose Relative
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