Red Sea bannerfish (Heniochus intermedius)
Key facts
- Scientific name
- Heniochus intermedius
- Common name
- Red Sea bannerfish
- Category
- Fish
- Family
- Chaetodontidae
- Genus
- Heniochus
- Size
- 10–21 cm
- Depth
- 1–50 m
- IUCN status
- Least concern (LC)
- Danger level
- Harmless
- Habitats
- reef
- Behaviours
- pair-bonding
- Ocean zones
- Indian Ocean & Red Sea
Description
Heniochus intermedius reaches 21 cm. Deep white-to-yellow body crossed by two wide black bands, long white banner extending from the dorsal fin. Red Sea endemic. Often in pairs or small groups on coral drop-offs between 1 and 50 m. Feeds on zooplankton and small invertebrates. Swims gracefully with its waving banner. Can be confused with its more widespread cousin H. acuminatus.
Photo of Red Sea bannerfish
Frequently asked questions
- How big is the Red Sea bannerfish?
- Red Sea bannerfish (Heniochus intermedius) reaches 10–21 cm in length.
- At what depth can you find the Red Sea bannerfish?
- Red Sea bannerfish is found between 1–50 m deep.
- Is the Red Sea bannerfish dangerous to divers?
- Danger level: Harmless.
- What is the conservation status of the Red Sea bannerfish?
- IUCN status: Least concern (LC).
- Where can you find the Red Sea bannerfish?
- Found in: Indian Ocean & Red Sea.
Other species in the genus Heniochus
- Heniochus diphreutes - Schooling bannerfish
- Heniochus varius - Humphead bannerfish
- Heniochus singularius - Singular Bannerfish
- Heniochus acuminatus - Pennant coralfish
- 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 218767)
- Photos: iNaturalist (CC BY-NC)
- Distribution: GBIF (taxonKey 2385717)
- Conservation: IUCN Red List
- Encyclopedia: Wikipedia