CHAETODONTIDAE


Heniochus pleurotaenia, 4.2 cm SL
(photo by Ukkrit Satapoomin)


Heniochus pleurotaenia
Ahl, 1923
Indian Bannerfish

D XI-XII, 23-25; A III, 17-19; P1 14-15; LLp 49-54.

Body deep; snout short, pointed; predorsal contour with a prominent bony protuberance at nape, and a strong horn above each orbit. Lateral line complete. Fourth dorsalfin spine only slightly longer than the fifth. Caudal fin truncate. Color: white with brassy tinge ground color, with 3 broad black bands, the first from dorsal-fin origin encompassing most of frontal part of head and snout, the second covering anterior part of body and continuous with black pelvic fins; the third covering hind part of body and encompassing most of soft-rayed portion of anal fin; the two body bands merging only in upper part of body, leaving a white triangular space in midvental portion of body; the merged zone and area dorsally above lateral line of each body band brownish; soft dorsal and caudal fins brownish yellow. Size: maximum length about 18 cm. Distribution: Eastern Indian Ocean, from Maldive Islands and Sri Lanka to Andaman Sea and Java. Remarks: inhabits coral reefs at depths of 2-30 m. Solitary or found in small groups. Feeds on crabs, worms, and other invertebrates.