Pennant coralfish (Heniochus acuminatus)
Key facts
- Scientific name
- Heniochus acuminatus
- Common name
- Pennant coralfish
- Category
- Fish
- Family
- Chaetodontidae
- Genus
- Heniochus
- Size
- 15–25 cm
- Depth
- 2–75 m
- IUCN status
- Least concern (LC)
- Danger level
- Harmless
- Habitats
- reef
- Behaviours
- schooling, pair-bonding
- Ocean zones
- Asian Pacific, Indian Ocean & Red Sea
Description
Heniochus acuminatus reaches 25 cm. Deep white disc-shaped body crossed by two wide vertical black bands, long white banner-like filamentous dorsal fin waving as it swims. Yellow caudal. Unlike other more territorial Heniochus, often forms large schools above Indo-Pacific drop-offs. Juveniles act as cleaners. From 2 to 75 m. Very photogenic in silhouette with its banner.
Photo of Pennant coralfish
Frequently asked questions
- How big is the Pennant coralfish?
- Pennant coralfish (Heniochus acuminatus) reaches 15–25 cm in length.
- At what depth can you find the Pennant coralfish?
- Pennant coralfish is found between 2–75 m deep.
- Is the Pennant coralfish dangerous to divers?
- Danger level: Harmless.
- What is the conservation status of the Pennant coralfish?
- IUCN status: Least concern (LC).
- Where can you find the Pennant coralfish?
- Found in: Asian Pacific, Indian Ocean & Red Sea.
Other species in the genus Heniochus
- Heniochus diphreutes - Schooling bannerfish
- Heniochus varius - Humphead bannerfish
- Heniochus singularius - Singular Bannerfish
- Heniochus intermedius - Red Sea bannerfish
- Heniochus chrysostomus - Golden-striped Coachwhip
- Heniochus pleurotaenia - Black-striped Coachwhip
Other species in the family Chaetodontidae
- Chaetodon sedentarius - Reef butterflyfish
- Chaetodon ocellatus - Spotfin butterflyfish
- Chaetodon fasciatus - Diagonal butterflyfish
- Chaetodon semilarvatus - Bluecheek butterflyfish
- Forcipiger flavissimus - Longnose butterflyfish
- Johnrandallia nigrirostris - Barberfish
Sources
- Taxonomy: WoRMS (AphiaID 218765)
- Photos: iNaturalist (CC BY-NC)
- Distribution: GBIF (taxonKey 2385730)
- Conservation: IUCN Red List
- Encyclopedia: Wikipedia