CHAETODONTIDAE


Heniochus singularius
(photo by Suraphong Banchongmanee)


Heniochus singularius
Smith and Radcliffe, 1911
Singular Bannerfish

D XI-XII, 23-27; A III, 16-19; P1 16-17; LLp 49-52.

Body deep; snout short, blunt and robust; predorsal contour modified by a strong projecting bump at nape; horn present in adults, usually simple, short spike projecting from supraorbital. Lateral line complete. Fourth dorsal-fin spine moderately elongate, shorter than body length. Caudal fin truncate. Color: white with 2 board and diffused dark bands on body, diffusion of the bands due to pale scale edges; a broad white zone between the two dark bands has small blackish spots, one in each scale center; a black band encircling snout and a black band through eye, with a white band in between; the rest part of dorsal fin after the tapering white filament of the fourth spine and caudal fin yellow; pelvic fins black. Size: maximum length about 25 cm. Distribution: Eastern Indian Ocean and western Pacific, from Maldive Islands to Marshall Islands. Remarks: inhabits coral reefs at depths of 3-25 m. Solitary or found in pairs. Feeds on crabs, worms, and other invertebrates.