Red Sea Bannerfish (Heniochus intermedius)

Quick facts

Appearance

Heniochus intermedius is a striking member of the butterflyfish family with a predominantly white body marked by black bands and yellow-gold coloration. It features an elongated, compressed body with a distinctive black stripe running from the eye through the gill cover, and black banding on the dorsal and caudal fins. The species displays the characteristic banner-like dorsal fin extension common to Heniochus genus butterflyfish.

Diet and feeding

Feed a varied diet of high-quality flake foods, pellets, and frozen preparations including mysis shrimp, brine shrimp, and chopped meaty foods. Offer vegetable matter occasionally such as blanched spinach or spirulina-based foods.

Difficulty and care for the Red Sea Bannerfish

Red Sea Bannerfish are moderately challenging for hobbyists, requiring stable water parameters, appropriate tank size, and a varied diet. They are generally hardier than some butterflyfish species but are best suited to established aquariums with consistent conditions.

Common health issues

Ich (marine ick), fin rot, parasitic infections, nutritional deficiencies if diet is inadequate

Origin and habitat

Indo-Pacific region, primarily from the Red Sea and East Africa through the Indian Ocean to the western Pacific, including waters around Indonesia and the Philippines.