ANIMAL SPECIES:Pennant Bannerfish, Heniochus chrysostomus (Cuvier, 1831)
The Pennant Bannerfish has three dark bands crossing the body and a yellow snout. The fish occurs in tropical marine waters of the western and southern Pacific.
Identification
The Pennant Bannerfish can be recognised by its colouration. It is white with a black band crossing the head and extending through the ventral fins. Two brown bands cross the body. The snout is yellow (chryso [Greek] - gold, stoma [Greek] - mouth).
The fourth dorsal fin spine supports an expanded pennant.
Size range
The species grows to 18 cm in length.Distribution
It is known from the western and southern Pacific. In Australia it is recorded from the central coast of Western Australia around the tropical north (except the Gulf of Carpentaria) and south to southern Queensland.
Distribution by collection data
Biomaps map of Pennant Bannerfish specimens in the Australian Museum collection.
Behaviour and adaptations
Feeding and Diet
The Pennant Bannerfish eats mainly coral polyps.
Classification
- Species:
- chrysostomus
- Genus:
- Heniochus
- Family:
- Chaetodontidae
- Order:
- Perciformes
- Class:
- Actinopterygii
- Subphylum:
- Vertebrata
- Phylum:
- Chordata
- Kingdom:
- Animalia
References
- Allen, G.R., Steene, R. & M. Allen. 1998. A Guide to Angelfishes & Butterflyfishes. Odyssey Publishing/Tropical Reef Research. Pp. 250.
- Allen, G.R. & R. Swainston. 1988. The Marine Fishes of North-Western Australia. A Field Guide for Anglers and Divers. Western Australian Museum. Pp. 201.
- Brown, R.W. 1956. Composition of Scientific Words. R. W. Brown. Pp. 882.
- Kuiter, R.H. 1996. Guide to Sea Fishes of Australia. New Holland. Pp. 433.
- Kuiter, R.H. 2000. Coastal Fishes of South-eastern Australia. Gary Allen. Pp. 437.
- Randall, J.E., Allen, G.R. & R.C. Steene. 1997. Fishes of the Great Barrier Reef and Coral Sea. Crawford House Press. Pp. 557.
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A Pennant Bannerfish at Rapid Horn View full size
Erik Schlögl
© Erik Schlögl
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