Singular Bannerfish - Heniochus singularius

Singular Bannerfish (Heniochus singularius)

The Singular Bannerfish, Heniochus singularius, is a large and elegant marine bannerfish with a deep compressed body, bold black and white banding, yellow fin colouration and a tall dorsal streamer. Sometimes traded under the Pennant Coralfish name, this specialist butterflyfish relative is best suited to spacious, mature marine aquariums with excellent filtration, open swimming room and plenty of rock structure. It naturally feeds heavily on coral polyps, so it is not suitable for reef aquariums and should only be considered by experienced marine keepers prepared for specialist feeding.

Common Name:
Singular Bannerfish, Singularius Bannerfish, Singular Bannerfish, Pennant Coralfish, Bannerfish.

Scientific Name (Latin):
Heniochus singularius

Maximum Size:
Up to around 30 cm, making it one of the larger bannerfish species.

Water Type:
Marine

Origin / Natural Habitat:
Indo-Pacific. In the wild, Singular Bannerfish inhabit deep lagoon reefs and seaward reef slopes, especially areas with rich coral growth and high vertical reef structure. Adults are usually seen singly or in small groups, while juveniles are more secretive on inshore reefs.

Water Parameters:
Temperature: 24–27°C
pH Range: 8.1–8.4
Hardness or Salinity: Marine salinity 1.023–1.026 specific gravity; stable, mature marine conditions with excellent oxygenation are important.

Temperament:
Semi-aggressive to moderately assertive. This species is not usually highly aggressive, but it can become territorial or pushy, especially in smaller aquariums or towards similarly shaped butterflyfish and bannerfish. It is best kept with confident but not overly aggressive marine fish.

Diet:
Specialist omnivore with a strong coral-feeding tendency. In the wild it feeds mainly on coral polyps. In aquariums, offer finely chopped marine meats, mysis shrimp, enriched brineshrimp, krill, clam, mussel, sponge-based angelfish foods, marine pellets and frozen butterflyfish preparations. Newly imported specimens may be difficult to feed and may require repeated small offerings, natural live rock grazing and specialist foods.

Minimum Tank Size:
A minimum of 600 litres is recommended for a single specimen, with larger aquariums strongly preferred. This is a large, active species that needs swimming room, mature biological filtration and stable water quality.

Behaviour & Activity:
An active midwater reef fish that spends much of the day swimming around rockwork and picking at reef surfaces. It may be shy or reluctant to feed when first introduced, but settled individuals can become confident and highly visible. Provide open swimming space as well as tall rock structure, caves and visual barriers.

Reef Safe:
Not Reef Safe
This species naturally feeds on coral polyps and may nip or consume stony corals, soft corals, zoanthids and clam mantles. It is best suited to a fish-only system or a carefully planned FOWLR aquarium rather than a coral reef display.

Special Requirements or Care Notes:
Choose only well-conditioned specimens that are alert, undamaged and feeding before purchase where possible. Provide a mature aquarium with live rock, excellent water quality, strong filtration and peaceful but confident tank mates. Avoid adding to brand-new or sterile aquariums. Because this species may be difficult to convert onto prepared foods, it should be attempted only by experienced marine keepers prepared to offer frequent varied feeding and monitor body condition closely.

Suitable for:
Experienced marine fishkeepers

Availability:
Rare to occasional in trade / Specialist marine import

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.