Home · Chaetodontidae · Masked bannerfish
Masked bannerfish (Heniochus monoceros) — Chaetodontidae

Masked bannerfish

Heniochus monoceros
LC · Least Concern

The Masked bannerfish (Heniochus monoceros) is a saltwater fish of the family Chaetodontidae that grows up to 24 cm.

Length
24 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
2.0–30.0 m
Diet
Omnivore
Behaviour
Small groups
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Flat / disc-shaped
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Not eaten

Description

The masked bannerfish is a butterflyfish from the Indo-Pacific. The species grows to about 24 cm and has a deep, white body with two broad black oblique bands, a black 'mask' over the head and nape and a greatly elongated, white pennant-like dorsal-fin ray; adults have two short horns projecting above the eyes. As a reef-dweller it searches over coral and rocky reefs for small invertebrates and algae. The fish is harmless to humans and appears in the reef aquarium. The IUCN assesses the species as Least Concern (LC).

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Masked bannerfish?

The Masked bannerfish has a flattened, disc-shaped body, is mainly white and shows a vertical stripes pattern.

Where does the Masked bannerfish live?

The Masked bannerfish lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around stony or rocky ground.

How big does the Masked bannerfish get?

The Masked bannerfish grows to a maximum of about 24 cm.

Is the Masked bannerfish dangerous to humans?

No, the Masked bannerfish is harmless to humans.

Is the Masked bannerfish edible?

The Masked bannerfish is not usually eaten.

Download Fin's Fish Guide

Identify fish in seconds, log your catches and dives. Join the TestFlight beta.

Get the beta →

All data

Identification

Dutch name
Maskerwimpelvis verified
English name
Masked bannerfish verified
Scientific name
Heniochus monoceros
Family
Chaetodontidae
Other names
Masked bannerfish verified

Appearance

Size class
Medium verified
Max length (cm)
24.0 verified
Body shape
Flat / disc-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
White sourced
Pattern
Vertical bars sourced
Tail shape
Straight inferred
Mouth position
Terminal sourced
Lips
Thin sourced
Barbels
No sourced
Dorsal fins
One continuous sourced
Dorsal spines
No sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Stone or rock sourced
Min depth (m)
2.0 verified
Max depth (m)
30.0 verified
Origin
Native verified

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Omnivore sourced
Social behaviour
Small groups sourced
Territorial
No sourced
Activity
Diurnal sourced
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
No sourced

For anglers

Edibility
Not eaten sourced
Fishing method
Vissen met natuurlijk aas (vis, garnaal, worm) of kunstaas dicht bij rif- en rotsstructuren. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless sourced

Status & sources

Sources
FishBase via GBIF (DwC-A), CC-BY-NC 4.0

Same genus Heniochus

More from the family Chaetodontidae

Download Fin's Fish Guide

Identify fish in seconds, log your catches and dives. Join the TestFlight beta.

Get the beta →