Humphead bannerfish (Heniochus varius)
Key facts
- Scientific name
- Heniochus varius
- Common name
- Humphead bannerfish
- Category
- Fish
- Family
- Chaetodontidae
- Genus
- Heniochus
- Size
- 12–19 cm
- Depth
- 2–30 m
- IUCN status
- Least concern (LC)
- Danger level
- Harmless
- Habitats
- coral-reef
- Behaviours
- pair
- Ocean zones
- Asian Pacific, Indian Ocean & Red Sea
Description
Heniochus varius reaches 19 cm. Robust stocky Heniochus dark brown to black body, two wide vertical white bands, short frontal horns above eyes (characteristic of adult males). Yellow posterior edge. Lives from 2 to 30 m on coral reefs of central Indo-Pacific to western Pacific (Indonesia, Philippines, Great Barrier). More sedentary than H. diphreutes, paired on coral territory. Opportunistic omnivore. Classic encounter of central Pacific dives.
Photo of Humphead bannerfish
Frequently asked questions
- How big is the Humphead bannerfish?
- Humphead bannerfish (Heniochus varius) reaches 12–19 cm in length.
- At what depth can you find the Humphead bannerfish?
- Humphead bannerfish is found between 2–30 m deep.
- Is the Humphead bannerfish dangerous to divers?
- Danger level: Harmless.
- What is the conservation status of the Humphead bannerfish?
- IUCN status: Least concern (LC).
- Where can you find the Humphead bannerfish?
- Found in: Asian Pacific, Indian Ocean & Red Sea.
Other species in the genus Heniochus
- Heniochus diphreutes - Schooling bannerfish
- Heniochus singularius - Singular Bannerfish
- Heniochus intermedius - Red Sea 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 276750)
- Photos: iNaturalist (CC BY-NC)
- Distribution: GBIF (taxonKey 2385713)
- Conservation: IUCN Red List
- Encyclopedia: Wikipedia