Marine Life

Indian bannerfish

Hindhu dhidha mas

Heniochus pleurotaenia

Heniochus pleurotaenia is closely related to H. varius (Cuvier) of the Pacific, but the two can be easily distinguished by their color patterns; H. pleurotaenia has an additional white band that begins at the base of the anal spines and extends to the middle of the upper sides.

Details

§ 01

size: Max. 19 cm
color: Overall dark brown to black with a narrow white band from upper nape across gill cover. Second white band in the middle. Third oblique white band on dorsal part of body.
order: Perciformes
family: Chaetodontidae
image url: https://assets.explore.mv/fishes/heniochus-pleurotaenia.png
habitat and biology: Frequently seen in pairs or small clusters near the edges of reefs and in the shadows of overhangs and crevices, these fish can be found at depths between 2 and 20 m.
distinctive characters: This fish has a dorsal fin with 11 spines and 23-25 rays, an anal fin with 3 spines and 17-18 rays, a pectoral fin with 15 rays, and a body depth of 1.5 in standard length. Additionally, there are bony projections on the nape and above the eyes, and the fourth dorsal spine is only slightly longer than the fifth.