How difficult is it to keep Pennant Bannerfish?

Beginner. This is a beginner-friendly species. No special equipment or experience is required, and it can be kept successfully with basic care setup.

What is the ideal temperature for Pennant Bannerfish?

The ideal temperature for Pennant Bannerfish is 22〜26℃. Avoid sudden temperature changes and maintain a stable environment.

What is the lifespan of Pennant Bannerfish?

The average lifespan of Pennant Bannerfish is 10-15 years. With proper care and nutrition, they can live a long and healthy life.

How large does Pennant Bannerfish get?

Pennant Bannerfish typically reaches Up to 25cm as an adult. Size may vary depending on care conditions and individual genetics.

What should I feed Pennant Bannerfish?

Pennant Bannerfish feeds on: Frozen foods (mysis, brine shrimp), pellets. Aim for a balanced diet with appropriate feeding frequency.

What is the typical price for Pennant Bannerfish?

The price of Pennant Bannerfish varies significantly depending on morph, size, and lineage. Check our market price page for the latest pricing information.

Source: Wikimedia Commons

Pennant Bannerfish

Beginner

Heniochus acuminatus

White body with two broad black bands and a long white dorsal fin trailing like a pennant. Often confused with the Moorish idol. Hardy, peaceful and easy to feed, but it picks at coral polyps and is not suited to reef tanks.

Difficulty

Beginner

Temperature

22〜26℃

Lifespan

10-15 years

Size

Up to 25cm

Diet

Frozen foods (mysis, brine shrimp), pellets

About

The Pennant Bannerfish (Heniochus acuminatus) is a butterflyfish found widely across the Indo-Pacific from the Persian Gulf and East Africa to French Polynesia, north to Japan. Two broad black bands run diagonally across the white body and a dorsal spine extends into a long pennant. The soft dorsal, tail and pectoral fins are yellow and there is a black mark above the eye. It is often confused with the Moorish idol and with the schooling bannerfish (H. diphreutes), but has a slightly longer snout and a rounded pelvic fin. FishBase records a maximum of 25cm (total length); it lives in sheltered lagoons and on outer reef slopes at 2-178m, usually 15-75m. It feeds mainly on zooplankton, taking coral polyps and benthic invertebrates as well. Adults live in pairs, and juveniles clean other fish. It is easy to keep: in a tank of 490L or more it can live with peaceful fish and with conspecifics introduced at the same time. It accepts a wide range of frozen foods and pellets. Because it picks at corals it is not considered reef safe.

Source: Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0)

Lifespan of the Pennant Bannerfish

The Pennant Bannerfish lives 10-15 years.

Size of the Pennant Bannerfish

The Pennant Bannerfish grows to Up to 25cm.

Temperature & humidity for the Pennant Bannerfish

The ideal temperature for the Pennant Bannerfish is 22〜26℃.

Basic Info

Origin

Indo-Pacific (Persian Gulf and East Africa to French Polynesia; north to Japan, south to Australia)

Care Specifications

pH: 8.1–8.4
Water Temp.: 22–26℃
Min. Tank: 490 L

PeacefulNot reef safe

Sources: LiveAquaria / FishBase

References & Sources

Edited & verified by: BreederDirect editorial team

The taxonomic, regulatory, and husbandry data on this page are compiled and verified against the authoritative primary sources below.

Primary sources

Taxonomy & Authority

Accepted name: Heniochus acuminatus (Linnaeus, 1758)

Synonyms: Chaetodon acuminatus

Authority databases: WoRMS · FishBase

Nomenclature follows global taxonomic authority databases.

Regulations & Conservation Status

Not CITES-listedIUCN LC · Least Concern

Sources: CITES Appendices (species not listed) / IUCN Red List

Regulations may change. Always verify the latest information with the relevant authorities.