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Horned bannerfish (Heniochus chrysostomus) — Chaetodontidae

Horned bannerfish

Heniochus chrysostomus
LC · Least Concern

The Horned bannerfish (Heniochus chrysostomus) is a saltwater fish of the family Chaetodontidae that grows up to 18 cm.

Length
18 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
2.0–60.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Small groups
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Flat / disc-shaped
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless
Range
Indo-Pacific; coral-rich reef flats, lagoons and seaward reefs.
Edibility
Not eaten

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Description

The threeband pennantfish is a butterflyfish (Chaetodontidae) from the Indo-Pacific. The species grows to about 18 cm and has a deep, white body with three oblique dark bands and an elongated, pennant-like fourth dorsal fin ray, to which the name refers. It is common in coral-rich parts of reef flats, lagoons and seaward reefs. Juveniles live solitarily in estuaries and lagoons, while adults usually swim in pairs. It feeds mainly on coral polyps. The species is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Horned bannerfish?

The Horned bannerfish has a flattened, disc-shaped body, is mainly white and shows a vertical stripes pattern. Pennant-like elongated dorsal fin ray and three oblique bars; adults live in pairs.

Where does the Horned bannerfish live?

The Horned bannerfish lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around stony or rocky ground. Indo-Pacific; coral-rich reef flats, lagoons and seaward reefs.

How big does the Horned bannerfish get?

The Horned bannerfish grows to a maximum of about 18 cm.

Is the Horned bannerfish dangerous to humans?

No, the Horned bannerfish is harmless to humans. None required: this species is harmless to humans.

Is the Horned bannerfish edible?

The Horned bannerfish is not usually eaten.

More photos

Horned bannerfish (Heniochus chrysostomus) — Chaetodontidae — 2
Timothy E Myer (CC BY-NC 4.0) via GBIF — iNaturalist
Horned bannerfish (Heniochus chrysostomus) — Chaetodontidae — 3
Wikimedia Commons — NOAA Photo Library (CC BY 2.0)
Horned bannerfish (Heniochus chrysostomus) — Chaetodontidae — 4
Dwight Baker (CC BY-NC 4.0) via GBIF — iNaturalist
Horned bannerfish (Heniochus chrysostomus) — Chaetodontidae — 5
Wikimedia Commons — Hectonichus (CC BY-SA 3.0)
Fin

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All data

Identification

English name
Horned bannerfish verified
Scientific name
Heniochus chrysostomus
Family
Chaetodontidae
Other names
Horned coralfish; Pennant bannerfish; Threeband pennantfish; Threeband pennant; Three-banded bullfish verified

Appearance

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

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Stone or rock sourced
Min depth (m)
2.0 verified
Max depth (m)
60.0 verified
Natural range
Indo-Pacific; coral-rich reef flats, lagoons and seaward reefs. inferred
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore sourced
Diet (detail)
Mainly coral polyps sourced
Social behaviour
Small groups inferred
Territorial
No inferred
Activity
Diurnal inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred
Seasonality
Present year-round in its habitat; no pronounced seasonality known. inferred
Special features
Pennant-like elongated dorsal fin ray and three oblique bars; adults live in pairs. sourced

For anglers

Edibility
Not eaten sourced
Fishing method
Fishing with natural bait (fish, shrimp, worm) or lures close to reef and rock structures. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless sourced
First aid
None required: this species is harmless to humans. sourced

Status & sources

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

Same genus Heniochus

More from the family Chaetodontidae

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