Alternative species (click on the thumbnail to see the card)
Names
Scientific name
Heniochus acuminatus
Common name
Pennant coralfish
Longfin bannerfish
Reef bannerfish
Origin
Origin: South Pacific, Indian ocean, Red sea
Natural habitat: meadows of seaweed, seagrass beds and rocky areas (between 2m (80") and 75m (2953") deep)
Dimorphism
None
Group
Chaetodontidae
Volume
500 L / 110 Imp gal / 132 US gal then
200 L /44 Imp gal / 53 US gal for 1 fish
Parameters
T°: 23 à 26°C or 73 to 79°F
pH: 7.5 to 8.5
Density: 1024 to 1026
Difficulty
Average
Size
15 to 25 cm (6 to 10")
Longevity
15 years
Living zone
Middle
Individuals
1
Food
How to feed the Heniochus acuminatus?
Food
How to feed the Heniochus acuminatus?
It is an omnivorous fish. Feed it with live or frozen crustaceans and molluscs: raw or scalded mussels, brine shrimp, mysus, krill, shrimp or fish pieces, nereis, tubifex, mosquito larvae... On the vegetable side, regularly offer seaweed (nori for example), salad and spinach. You have the choice! So treat yourself and make him happy: vary its diet as much as possible!
It may also consume dry food but this does not have to be its basic diet to avoid deficiencies. It is however a good occasional supplement.
It is very important to feed them several times a day, ideally three times, to guarantee a good health.
Behavior
What kind of behavior does the Palette Heniochus acuminatus have?
Behavior
What kind of behavior does the Heniochus acuminatus have?
This fish is quite active, swimming constantly in open water searching for its next meal. It is however peaceful and has a good sociability (in fact, it is very independent and does not care about the other inhabitants of the aquarium). It is not shy and will animate your aquarium all day.
The Pennant coralfish may behave in a way that is cleansed from other fish. This can annoy them, or even stress them if the harassment is too instant. This behavior is observed especially in young specimens.
Apart from this last point, the sociability of this fish is very good. Note that tensions can sometimes occur within the group of Pennant coralfish: they become territorial and aggressive towards their conspecifics. Rest assured, this behavior occurs only in case of maintenance in an aquarium too small.
Cohabitation
Who can live with the Heniochus acuminatus?
Cohabitation
Who can live with the Heniochus acuminatus?
In nature, young fish live in groups (they can be of different sizes). Adults live on their own or as a couple. In your aquarium, you can keep them in groups provided that the individuals you choose to compose are very young and all introduced into the aquarium at the same time.
Watch out for cohabitation with species likely to attack its long dorsal fin (triggerfish, wrasses, puffer fish...). In general, associate with it fairly calm fish.
Also beware of the association with Diodon (Diodontidae), which it tends to harass because it takes their small black spots for parasites.
Finally, cohabitation with corals and molluscs is not possible because they are an integral part of their diet.
Breeding
How to breed the Heniochus acuminatus?
Breeding
How to breed the Heniochus acuminatus?
Impossible in the aquarium.
Its aquarium
Which aquarium for the Heniochus acuminatus?
Its aquarium
Which aquarium for the Heniochus acuminatus?
The Pennant coralfish will enjoy a large aquarium made of rocks and algae. Incorporate holes and hiding places so it can hide when it feels the need. For algae, caulerpa will be a good choice (the fish can feed on it).
Do not put corals because the Pennant coralfish would eat them with appetite. Indeed, it loves tube-worms, tentacles of anemones, polyps of corals, sponges...
The aquarium that maintains this species will need a powerful filtration and a good brewing. The water must be well ventilated. To promote the growth of algae it feeds, also install a powerful lighting.
Good To know
Find all additional information!
Good To know
Find all additional information!
The success of its maintenance will be improved with fish introduced at a young age. Indeed, the acclimatisation of older individuals is more delicate.
Very close to Heniochus diphreutes, both species are quite difficult to differentiate. In H.diphreutes, the anal fin is more pointed and the muzzle is slightly shorter. A more reliable method is the counting of dorsal spines (11 on the H.acuminatus).
Although it can reach a size of 25 cm or 10 inch in its natural environment, it rarely exceeds 15 cm or 6 inch in the aquarium.
Yours photos!
By Encyclo-Caro
By Encyclo-Caro
By Encyclo-Caro
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