Schooling bannerfish

[gone fishin]

I have been looking at the schooling bannerfish (Heniochus diphreutes) for a while now. Can anyone tell me about their personality, issues. Do they ship well or try to get LFS to order one. Thanks for any info.

 

[CoralsAddiction]

I have been looking at the schooling bannerfish (Heniochus diphreutes) for a while now. Can anyone tell me about their personality, issues. Do they ship well or try to get LFS to order one. Thanks for any info.

It's a social fish that likes to hang out with its own kind but will also happily (and oddly) school with other butterflyfish in the tank if you just want to get one. Bannerfish doesn't seem to bother soft corals. I would add one without hesitation. I had one a while ago in a larger tank and its sweet personality won me over in 10 mins in the tank.

 

[gone fishin]

Thanks, it's always nice to get some first hand info. From what I read they seemed to be a pretty mellow fish and don't bother any corals.

 

[SDguy]

I had one for a while. My issue with them is their size. Unlike so many of the Chaetodon species, H. diphreutes gets really big, really fast. And being so tall, they just end up looking ginormous in a tank. Also, unless you have a BIG tank with lots of open swimming space (ie the fish can swim in a straight line without having to turn around), their dorsal fin tends to get smaller as they grow. I saw a magnificent school of them in a shark display at a public aquarium. Their dorsal fins where incredibly long!

 

[gone fishin]

That was one of my concerns is they would just look out of place. I don't think my tank is big enough. I am leaning towards taking a pass and looking for something else. Thanks.

 

[CoralsAddiction]

Forgot to mention, Bannerfish is the best dirther fish. Beats fire fish and green chromis by a million. Amazing to see how much bolder the rest of the fish become when Bannerfish is in the tank. If people can keep sailfins and naso tangs in 180, I don't see why Bannerfish isn't fair game.

 

[gone fishin]

I am still thinking about it. Thanks for the info everyone.

 

[msderganc]

I have two. I thought for a while they were going to harass a couple SPS, but they apparently figured out it's not their food.

Very interesting fish to watch, and model citizens. The two of them are almost always together. They sleep in the open as well.

 

[hogfanreefer]

I was deciding between the banner fish and pyramid butterflies. I went with the pyramids and am happy with them so far. Don't bother any corals or fish. The only down side is they eat a LOT and poop a LOT....coral food?