Singular Bannerfish
1 Species Overview
The singular bannerfish is easily confused with the pennant coralfish, but photos show it has two black bars on the side and a yellow-white body that darkens with age.
Also known as: Flower bannerfish, ghost bannerfish (Hong Kong), devil bannerfish
Name: Singular bannerfish
English name: Singular bannerfish
Scientific name: Heniochus singularius
Distribution: Central and western Pacific
Taxonomy: Marine fish, Actinopterygii, Perciformes, Chaetodontidae, Heniochus
2 Appearance and Physical Traits
The singular bannerfish is easily confused with the pennant coralfish, but photos show it is the only butterflyfish with black dots on the white-banded scales. What are its traits?
The singular bannerfish reaches 30 cm, very compressed, with a high arched back, roughly triangular. Head short and small; adult has a short blunt spine above the eye socket; neck has a clear hard bony bump. Snout pointed but not tubular. Rear nostril edge has a nasal flap. Jaws about equal; fine sharp teeth. Body with medium weak ctenoid scales; head, chest, and fins with small scales; snout tip scaleless. Dorsal continuous, spines XI–XII, soft rays 25–27, the 4th spine especially long; anal spines III, soft rays 17–18.
The body is yellow-white, darkening with age. Two black cross-bands: the first from before the dorsal start down to the pelvic fin; the second from about the 7th–9th dorsal spines down to the rear of the anal fin. The eye band is clear, from above the eye down to the interopercular edge; a black ring wraps the snout. The dorsal soft part and caudal fin are pale to bright yellow; pectoral base black, rest pale yellow; anal front edge white, rear black; pelvic black (see photos).
3 Habitat and Living Environment
Because it is marine, build a wild-like water environment for healthy living.
Minimum tank 265 liters; temperature 24 to 27 C, pH 8.1 to 8.4, specific gravity 1.020 to 1.025. Juveniles need no training; adults need a quiet undisturbed spot and training in the tank to eat, fed animal plankton. There is little more info on mixing.
4 Feeding Guidelines
The singular bannerfish ranges across India, the Philippines, southern Japan, Taiwan, and the South China Sea islands. It is of medium difficulty because it refuses food after a move and needs training.
It is a carnivorous ornamental; feeds on coral polyps and animal plankton. Juveniles need no training; adults need a quiet undisturbed spot and training in the tank to eat, fed animal plankton.