Red Sea Bannerfish (h. intermedius)

[bureau13]

For a while now I've been planning on getting a pair of schooling bannerfish (h. diphreutes) for my 240gal mixed reef. I know some consider them to be somewhat iffy for corals, but I've heard more good than bad in terms of their behavior in a reef setting. Anyway, I just ran across some discussion and pictures of h. intermedius, which looks very similar save that the white part is yellow....in the pictures I saw, an absolutely stunning fish. Also, quite a bit more expensive. Now, for both h. intermedius and h. diphreutes the reference I saw listed their natural diet to be primarily plankton, yet it then said the h. intermedius was not reef safe, while the other one was. Eh? Anyone have more experience with this fish?

jds

 

[bureau13]

Nobody has these, eh? That makes me want them more!

jds

 

[Amphiprion]

The problem with H. intermedius is that it consumes much more benthic foods than H. diphreutes--that is why it isn't necessarily reef safe. While the latter eats nearly nothing but plankton (with the occasional pick here and there), the latter spends more time browsing the substrate (but still splitting its time eating planktonic organisms as well).

 

[bureau13]

OK, here's where I get to show off my ignorance. Benthic foods? A quick Google appeared to show worms and stuff...I'm not sure how much of those I have (one feather duster...does that count?).

jds

 

[Amphiprion]

Sorry about that. Just so you will know, I wasn't trying to be vague or smarts$$. Basically benthic feeders will pick on a variety of organisms that dwell on the substrate--including worms, 'pods, and just about anything else (depending upon the fish, of course). In this case, these butterflies may include corals in that list. The more they feed on the substrate, generally the more likely they are to nip at assorted things.

 

[bureau13]

Ahh, I get it, and I didn't think you were trying to be anything other than helpful. It sounds a little risky, but potentially worth it (I'm one of those people who puts certain large angels in reef tanks and crosses his fingers). For me, the fish are the coolest things in the tank, but I like them in the reef environment.

Then again, the h. diphreutes are about 1/5 the cost, so...

jds

 

[Amphiprion]

It's up to you on that one. Whatever your choice, good luck :thumbsup: