ANIMAL SPECIES:Singular Bannerfish, Heniochus singularius (Smith & Radcliffe, 1911)
The side of the Singular Bannerfish has a diffuse white bar with dark scale centres. This is bordered in front and behind by black bars. There is a dark bar through the eye and another encircling the snout. A white filament extends from the fourth dorsal fin spine. The remainder of the dorsal fin and caudal fin are both yellow. There is a prominent hump on the nape.
Identification
The side of the Singular Bannerfish has a diffuse white bar with dark scale centres. This is bordered in front and behind by black bars. There is a dark bar through the eye and another encircling the snout.
A white filament extends from the fourth dorsal fin spine. The remainder of the dorsal fin and caudal fin are both yellow.
There is a prominent hump on the nape.
Size range
The species grows to 25 cm in length.Distribution
The Singular Bannerfish is found in tropical marine waters throughout the Indo-West and Central Pacific.
In Australia it occurs from central to north-western Western Australia and from the entire length of the Great Barrier Reef, Queensland.
Behaviour and adaptations
Feeding and Diet
It eats coral polyps, benthic invertebrates and algae.
Classification
- Species:
- singularius
- Genus:
- Heniochus
- Family:
- Chaetodontidae
- Class:
- Actinopterygii
- Subphylum:
- Vertebrata
- Phylum:
- Chordata
- Kingdom:
- Animalia
References
- Allen, G.R. 1997. Marine Fishes of Tropical Australia and South-east Asia. Western Australian Museum. Pp. 292.
- 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.
- Kuiter, R.H. 1996. Guide to Sea Fishes of Australia. New Holland. Pp. 433.
- 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 Singular Bannerfish at Osprey Reef, Coral Sea View full size
Erik Schlögl
© Erik Schlögl
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