Banner fish in reef tank?
 

Hi all. Has anyone kept or currently have a long fin banner fish in a reef tank. I have read that the smaller one is reef safe ( heniochus diphreutes ). How do they do with other fish and corals? Thanks for your help. :biggrin:

not sure about reef compatability, but all I can tell you is there needs to be 2 or more as they like to school!

but being a butterfly, I can see it snapping at small polyps and such.

As you said, a lot of knowledgeable writers state that H. diphreutus is a better bet than H. acuminatus or of course any of the other muddier-looking species. I don't think anyone would guarantee this though. As Invigor said, they are apparently happier in odd-numbered groups (three, five, etc.). Also, ensure you know the differences between the two species. I expect most vendors don't and will tell you whatever you want to hear.

Correct me if I'm wrong, but H. diphreutus comes from Hawaiian waters whereas the other species (H. acuminatus et al) are found elsewhere.

I think it's a pretty safe bet to assume that Bannerfish coming in Hawaiian shipments are H. diphreutus.

Bannerfish eat aptasia so i am not too sure they would go into a reef tank. But there is one species that is reef safwe wit caution. Kinda like a dwarf Angel.

Albert, unfortunately H. diphreutus also occurs in the South Pacific, Indian Ocean and Red Sea. H. acuminatus does have a wider range but occurs in some of the same areas as H. diphreutus, including Hawaii. :neutral:

Doo-E, as stated, H. diphreutus seems to have a better reputation, but of course there are no guarantees. I expect you mean dwarf angel (Centropyge spp.), not dwarf butterfly.

Ya Teevee thats what i meant. Sorry I was trying to remember the name of the butterfly when i was typing that. Okay i found some information. The book is "A PocketExpert TM Guide Marine Fishes 500+ Essential-to-Know Aquarium Species, By Scott W. Micheal" says here H diphreutes comes from Indo-Pacific reaches 7.1 inches in length. This is what it says about being in a reef: "Not a threat to sessile invertertebrates, but do not confuse it with the similar looking H. acuminatus, which can be destructive in a reef tank. The H diphreutes has more-round breast, less proturding snout, and the middle black band ends at the corner of the anal fin."