Butterflyfish - Black and White Heniochus

Other Breeds

Keeshond   |   Palomino   |   Pig – Pot Bellied   |  

Alternative Name

Wimplefish Scientific Name: Heniochus acuminatus

Basic Info

While the Black and White Heniochus Butterfly Fish looks similar to the Moorish Idol the Black and White Heniochus is significantly different. It is much easier to care for captivity and is one of the hardier butterfly fishes available. They are very attractive with black and white broad stripes and long streaming dorsal fins much like those of the Moorish idol.

Health

Breeding The Black and White Heniochus Butterfly Fish is an egg-scatterer. Little information is available about captive breeding of this fish.

Habitat

Saltwater fish - tropical Pacific Ocean

Behavior

The Black and White Heniochus Butterfly Fish is also known as the poor man's Moorish Idol. It is not aggressive and gets along with other fish; however, care should be taken to avoid fish which might pick on its long pennant style dorsal fin. The Black and White Heniochus Butterfly Fish, because of its wide appetite range, is not considered reef safe, as it will attempt to eat some corals. This fish is reported to reach lengths as large as seven inches in the wild, though captive individuals may not grow this large. This butterfly fish does well singly or in groups. In a large enough aquarium these fish may school.

Origin

Indo-Pacific

History

It is found in the tropical Pacific Ocean and is quite common in the pet trade.

Common Foods

Feed on most types of food offered to it, including flake food, but is especially likes clams and mussels.