Anyone have experience with Heniochus (Bannerfish) in a reef tank?

JMaxwell · #1 01/04/2008, 12:22 PM

Most sources say Heniochus (Bannerfish) will nip at zoanthids, etc. I've seen a fair number of tanks on RC with various fish that are considered questionable in most reef literature, so I was wondering about this faily common fish.

Heniochus is an easily available, active swimmer with good survivability, although it needs a fair amount of space. Does anyone have any experience keeping these in any type of reef?

If you've had negative experience in terms of attacking corals, was it any type in particular?

Just hoping to spur some discussion here as some fish may be okay depending on what type of coral you have, etc.

- J

LisaD · #2 01/04/2008, 12:45 PM

No experience, but I have been interested in Heniochus for a long time.

Don't know if I'm remembering correctly, but I thought there were two Heniochus that look very similar, with one being more safe with corals (or otherwise more attractive for the aquarium) than the other. I think the two species are H acuminatus and H diphreutes.

It's not all that helpful, but here's a link to an article:
http://www.wetwebmedia.com/heniochu.htm

this thread seems to indicate that H. diphreutes is the reef safe species:
http://www.aquahobby.com/marine/e_heniochus.php

JMaxwell · #3 01/04/2008, 01:56 PM

Thanks for jumping in. I'd read the WWM article & FAQ, (and Bob Fenner's CMA) but there is no specific discussion on whether or not this fish is reef safe. Butterflies, generally not safe, but no specific info on this species or bannerfish in general. Most vendors say no.

The aquahobby site is interesting. I think H. acuminatus is more common than H. diphreutes, and it looks quite hard to tell them apart. If there is a big difference in behavior between the two as implied by the discussion on that site, then one would have to be quite careful.

reefboy1 · #4 01/04/2008, 02:42 PM

I've recently added 3 H diphreutes (ID based on the anal fin) and they've so far have not touched my LPS/Softies/Gorgs. They have cleared all aptasia out of the tank which I'm happy about. They are always out and about the tank, stay together and pick at the rocks. They eat mysis and surpisingly nori.

I love these guys...

Art

JamesJR · #5 01/04/2008, 02:43 PM

Butterflyfish are a big group of fish and I would definately avoid making broad generalizations about them. There are actually several butterfly fish that make great reef inhabitants.

There are about 8 species of heniochus. The ones you are thinking about are the heniochus Acuminatus and the much more reef safe heniochus diphreatus. There are a couple of other Heniochus species that may be well suited for reef tanks but they are more difficult to obtain and are a lot more expensive.

The difference between the two is not that difficult when you see the two images side by side but without two references it is more difficult.

H. Diphreutus (reef safe) http://fishbase.org/Summary/SpeciesSummary.php?id=7769

H. Acuminatus (not to be trusted in a reef tank)
http://fishbase.org/Summary/SpeciesSummary.php?id=7769

There are several ways to distinguish these two fish. The best way to distinguish them is to notice how the body shape is very different from the eyes of the fish to its dorsal fin. The diphreutus is much more steep and angular. To get a positive ID of the fish I would take a photograph and count the dorsal spines and then compare it.

The two fish have different geographic distributions. The H. Acuminatus is absent from the Hawaiian islands but the diphreutus is very common there. I personally would not rely on a fish wholesaler to provide the most accurate information on where these fish come from as they could easily get mixed up.

These make great aquarium fish as they are hardy and are really beautiful when they get large and a 240 would be a great tank to display them in. These fish primarily eat plankton in the wild but I would not put it past them to occasionally nip a coral every now and then. If they are well fed I would really be surprised if they did any permanent damage to anything as they would most likely just nip or taste a polyp and not chow down the whole thing.

good luck.

JamesJR · #6 01/04/2008, 02:44 PM

sorry I mixed up the tag.

acuminatus

http://fishbase.org/Summary/SpeciesSummary.php?id=7769

rxinc · #7 01/04/2008, 02:57 PM

I have a H. acuminatus now in my 220. mixed reef tank, fish was moved from my 92gal FOWLR after trying to sell him and not getting any offers I thought I wouuld give it a shot.

He did proceed to any and all the small feather dusters in the tank.

He ate some of my zoo's but just the red and brown types, left the green and green mixed ones alone.

now he is starting to pick on an open brain that I have but not eating it just picking at it.

He hasn't touched the leather, goniopora, frogspawn, sps, mushrooms, and the others I have.

JMaxwell · #8 01/04/2008, 06:53 PM

Wow. what a great bunch of responses, very helpful. It looks like its pretty important to get the diphreutes species rather than the acuminatus, although I don't think I could reliably tell the difference prior to watching it sample my corals. Might be worth the risk of trying, but I'll have to think. It is a nice looking fish, and i like the schooling/pair behavior.

Also, very nice pictures of the fish and tanks!

JamesJR · #9 01/04/2008, 07:16 PM

I also like the info on an acuminatus in a reef.

Some of the other varieties that may be of interest are the red sea bannerfish,
http://www.fishbase.org/Photos/Thumb...y.php?ID=12309

the masked butterfly
http://filaman.ifm-geomar.de/Summary...ry.php?id=5590

and the sungularis
http://www.fishbase.org/Summary/Spec...ry.php?id=5591

I believe of these three the red sea bannerfish si the safest. It is a great fish but I only put it in a fish only tank so I don't know much about its reef suitablility. Bannerfish are awesome!