Schooling Bannerfish

The Schooling Bannerfish (Heniochus diphreutes) is a popular marine aquarium fish known for its attractive black and white patterned body and long, trailing dorsal fin. It is a schooling fish that can be found in large groups on coral reefs in the Indo-Pacific region, including the Red Sea, the Maldives, and the Great Barrier Reef. In the wild, they feed on zooplankton and small invertebrates.  Adult Schooling Bannerfish can grow up to 20 cm (8 inches) in length, but they typically reach around 15 cm (6 inches) in aquariums. They are a relatively hardy species and can be kept in larger aquariums with plenty of swimming room.

In captivity, Schooling Bannerfish can be fed a varied diet that includes meaty foods such as frozen or live brine shrimp, mysis shrimp, krill, and chopped fish. They should be fed several small meals per day.

It can be difficult to determine the sex of Schooling Bannerfish visually. In some cases, males may have slightly longer and more pointed dorsal fins than females.

Breeding Schooling Bannerfish in captivity is challenging and has not been widely successful. They are pelagic spawners, which means that they release their eggs and sperm into the water column, where fertilization occurs. The larvae are planktonic and require very specific conditions to survive and grow.

Schooling Bannerfish can be prone to certain diseases, including ich and marine velvet. Regular water changes and maintaining good water quality are essential to prevent disease outbreaks. It is also important to quarantine new fish before introducing them to an established aquarium to prevent the spread of disease.

Schooling Bannerfish can be found throughout the Indo-Pacific region, including the Red Sea, the Maldives, and the Great Barrier Reef.

Schooling Bannerfish are generally not aggressive, but they may become territorial towards other members of their own species. They may also nip at the tentacles of some types of corals, so it is important to choose tankmates carefully and provide plenty of hiding spots for fish and invertebrates.

When introducing Schooling Bannerfish to a new aquarium, it is important to acclimate them slowly to avoid shock and stress. This can be done by gradually adding small amounts of water from the aquarium to the bag or container that the fish came in over the course of 30-60 minutes. Once acclimated, the fish can be gently released into the aquarium.

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