Heniochus Butterflyfish

The Heniochus Butterflyfish, often called the Longfin Bannerfish or affectionately nicknamed the Poor Man's Moorish Idol, is a strikingly beautiful species that bears a remarkable superficial resemblance to the notoriously difficult Moorish Idol. Its body is adorned with bold, alternating bands of black and white, while the dorsal fin extends into a dramatic, elongated white pennant that trails gracefully behind the fish as it swims. Bright yellow coloration highlights the soft dorsal fin, tail, and pectoral fins, completing an appearance that is both elegant and eye-catching.

Unlike the Moorish Idol it resembles, the Heniochus Butterflyfish is a hardy, adaptable species that thrives in captivity with proper care. It readily accepts a wide range of prepared, frozen, and live foods, and acclimates well to aquarium life. This species is one of the few butterflyfish generally considered reef-safe, as it tends to leave corals and most sessile invertebrates alone. However, it may occasionally pick at feather dusters or zoanthids, so monitoring is advisable when first introduced to a reef system.

The Heniochus Butterflyfish is a peaceful, sociable species that can be kept singly, in pairs, or even in small groups in sufficiently large aquariums. In the wild, it often forms large aggregations along steep reef walls and drop-offs, where it feeds on zooplankton in the water column. This planktivorous tendency in the wild is a key reason it is less inclined to pick at corals compared to other butterflyfish. Its graceful swimming style, bold patterning, and amenable disposition make it an outstanding choice for both reef and fish-only marine aquariums.