Heniochus diphreutes vs. acuminatus???

[bigworm175]

Ok, I've read every site I can find on these two and I still can't tell what the difference is. I really want one or two but diphreutes is the only one that appears to have a chance of staying in my reef (I know there is a good chance diphreutes will eat my reef too but I can't resist.) I have read a thousand times about how the last black stripe is supposed to end higher on the acuminatus' anal fin and it has a longer nose but I have yet to find one picture where I can tell what they are talking about. Does anyone have good comparison pictures or could help me figure this out? A better explaination maybe? I'm not trusting a lfs' word on this one.

 

[SDguy]

Diphreutes: Back edge of the anal fin goes straight down from the base of the tail:

Acuminatus: Anal fin back edge angles back with the edge of the tail...

 

[SDguy]

The comment you mention about the black stripe ending higher on the anal fin in the acuminatus refers to the tip of the anal fin. Look how the lower portion of that tip has more white on it in acuminatus than in diphreutes. In diphreutes, it cuts basically equally in half black/white at the tip.

Sure there are also mouth shape differences, and face shape differences, but that anal fin is the easiest way to tell, IMO, especially with small juveniles.

hth

 

[bigworm175]

Ahh. That's the best comparison I've seen yet.That helps a lot. thanks!

 

[kamla]

SDguy - can u put of the pics again..

sorry i know this is an old thread

 

[badvegan]

Yes need pics

Yes need pics

This is the best description i have seen yet, can anyone post pics?

 

[SDguy]

diphreutes: Angular anal fin with a back edge that drops down at a 90 degree angle from the tail. Mostly equal parts white/black at the tip.
http://www.fishbase.org/Photos/ThumbnailsSummary.php?ID=7769

Acuminatus: More rounded anal fin, sweeps back past the base of the tail, generally with more white at the tip.
http://www.fishbase.org/Photos/ThumbnailsSummary.php?ID=5588

It can sometimes be tough to see in pictures, depending on the slight angle on the anal fin in the shot, or on the degree of fin extension, but trust me, when you see them in person, side by side, you'll see it imediately, and have no problem ID'ing them from then on.

 

[dougc]

I agree. I can't tell them apart with any confidence in isolation, but it is easy when you can compare them.

Sent from my SGH-T959 using Tapatalk

 

[Matt_Wandell]

I find it easier to see it in the shape of the mouth and chest in juvies. But I can see it in the anal fin too.

 

[djze]

for me i find it easier to distinguish the 2 by the mouth and chest but the fin also helps out a lot to determan 2. the pictures in the links that sdguy posted up clearly shows the big deference

 

[Rockys_Pride]

So these from PIA are diphreutes?

 

[Matt_Wandell]

So these from PIA are diphreutes?

We need a better photo...

 

[Matt_Wandell]

Oh, now that I look at their website I see that those are listed under "Hawaiian Fish".

IF they are actually from Hawaii, then they are certainly H. diphreutes. H. acuminatus does not occur there.

 

[LoneRanger]

so this is mislabeled then at liveaquaria?
http://liveaquaria.com/product/prod_display.cfm?c=747+871+242&pcatid=242

looking to get one to help with aptasia!

L.R.

 

[29reef]

It would appear that way given the angle of the anal fin.

 

[Guillaume]

Great reference thread! Anyone here up to such an ID exercise here?:http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2176386

 

[Zuuu]

First column of images is from liveaquaria.com, second column from the post above.



If we draw a line starting from the middle of the tail and ending in the middle of the mouth (between "lips") then there seems to be following pattern:
1) Heniochus diphreutes - line goes through the eye (or touches it)
2) Heniochus acuminata - line goes below the eye (doesn't touch it)

Maybe that is only working for these pictures, not sure, try yourself

 

[locke1990]

I know this is an old post, but I have a new questions on it.

I know this is an old post, but I have a new questions on it.

I am going to go out and see if I can find one or two of these longfin bannerfish for my reef tank, but I have a couple questions on them.

1. Can I get more than one safely?
2. I currently have a coral beauty, snowflake eel, boxfish, sailfin tang, and a powder brown tang. Will there be any potential problems between those fish and one of these? I have a 125g tank.

Thanks.