Red Sea Bannerfish - Heniochus intermedius

Red Sea Bannerfish (Heniochus intermedius)

The Red Sea Bannerfish is an elegant and highly distinctive marine fish recognised for its bold black, white and yellow colouration, elongated dorsal filament and graceful swimming style. Active and eye-catching, it makes an impressive addition to spacious marine aquariums with excellent water quality and plenty of open swimming room. Due to its natural feeding behaviour around reef environments, it is best considered reef safe with caution.

Common Name:
Red Sea Bannerfish, Red Sea Heniochus

Scientific Name (Latin):
Heniochus intermedius

Maximum Size:
Approximately 18–20 cm

Water Type:
Marine

Origin / Natural Habitat:
The Red Sea Bannerfish is associated with tropical Red Sea reef environments, where it inhabits coral-rich reefs, reef slopes and areas with a mixture of open water and complex reef structure.

It spends much of its time swimming above and around the reef while searching for small invertebrates and other food items.

Water Parameters:
Temperature: 24–26°C
pH Range: 8.1–8.4
Salinity: SG 1.024–1.026
Nitrate: Low and stable
Ammonia/Nitrite: 0 ppm

Temperament:
Peaceful to Semi-Aggressive

The Red Sea Bannerfish is generally peaceful towards unrelated marine fish and is best housed with calm to moderately robust tankmates.

It may show territorial behaviour towards similar butterflyfish or bannerfish, particularly where space is limited.

Diet:
Omnivore

The Red Sea Bannerfish feeds on a varied mixture of small invertebrates, planktonic foods and reef-associated material.

In the aquarium, offer frozen mysis, enriched brine shrimp, finely chopped prawn, mussel and quality marine preparations.

Several small meals throughout the day are beneficial, particularly for newly introduced specimens.

Minimum Tank Size:
Approximately 300 litres

A spacious aquarium with plenty of horizontal swimming room and secure rockwork is recommended.

Behaviour & Activity:
The Red Sea Bannerfish is an active daytime swimmer that spends much of its time moving through open water and around reef structure.

Its tall body and extended dorsal filament give it a particularly graceful appearance.

Provide a combination of open swimming space and sheltered areas where the fish can retreat if disturbed.

Reef Safe:
With Caution

The Red Sea Bannerfish should be considered reef safe with caution.

It may investigate or nip at some corals and other sessile invertebrates, particularly if underfed.

Individual behaviour can vary, so careful observation is recommended in mixed reef aquariums.

Special Requirements or Care Notes:
Provide a mature marine aquarium with stable water chemistry, excellent filtration and good oxygenation.

Ensure there is plenty of open swimming space and substantial rockwork for shelter.

Monitor newly introduced specimens carefully to ensure they begin feeding consistently.

Several small feedings throughout the day are preferable to one large meal.

Avoid highly aggressive tankmates that may intimidate the fish or prevent it from feeding successfully.

Stable water quality and a varied diet are important for maintaining healthy body condition and strong colouration.

Suitable for:
Intermediate

Availability:
Availability can vary depending on season, collection area and supplier.

All images are a visual representation of the fish you will receive, made to be as accurate as possible. Please note that Mother Nature is a wonderful thing, and variation in patterns and colours will occur — that is part of the unique beauty of these animals.