Heniochus

[MAReefer1]

just got one, and he is such a beautiful fish. I have two striped damsels sitting in my 20 gallon, do you think that the heniochus will do ok with the damsels? or should I sell them back to the store as planned?
Also the heniochus is franticcly running around the tank from end to end, and running up and down the sides of the tank torwards the bottom? should this eventually stop, he has been in the tank for about 20 min, is this a normal reaction?

Thanks,
MAreefer1

 

[B.rian]

probably just anxious for more room. is he going in the 55 that you are filling? i imagine that he will settle down. how big is he?

 

[Scuba_Dave]

Please tell me you have a tank bigger then a 55g??

Maximum Size: the Heniochus acuminatus grows up to 10 inches.
General Size Specifications: The small size will come to you generally 1 to 2 inches; the medium generally 3 to 4 inches; the large generally 5 to 6 inches not including the caudal fin.
Minimum Tank Size: The Black and White Heniochus Butterfly prefers a tank of at least 80 gallons with plenty of places to hide & swim.
Diet: The Heniochus acuminatus is a omnivore and likes to eat variety of foods (meats & veggies).
Level of Care: The Black and White Heniochus Butterfly is a low maintenance fish.
Behavior: The Black and White Heniochus Butterfly may act peacefully toward other fish.
Water Conditions: Keep water quality high (SG 1.020 - 1.025, pH 8.1 - 8.4, Temp. 72 - 78? F).
Range: Tahiti, Fiji, Hawaii.

 

[fanaglethebagle]

Yeah, Heniochus's get big, like a large tang.

I believe they also school, But I am not sure... Probably not a problem.

 

[MAReefer1]

oh, I read that it would be fine in a 55, do you think that I should return the fish?

 

[Dave]

The damsels with this fish is trouble. Heniochus is a peaceful fish, adding him to a 20 gal with two aggresive damsels is going to stress him out.

 

[Chris L]

i am sorry to say but you should probably bring it back. it might be ok for a short period of time but it will definatley outgrow a 55. as mentioned by scuda dave they get to be around 10 inches but that is a all around 10 inches and they are a active swimming fish. so in a 55 it would probably go nuts. you should pick up the books by scott michaels before adding anymore fish, it will tell you everything you need to know. not to mention that the heni is not reef safe and might just eat any corals you have or are planningf to get

 

[MAReefer1]

I read at a few places that the minimum requirement tank size was 50. The worker at the fish store also said that it should be alrite, I will have to bring it back tomorow.


thank you guys.

 

[this is me]

What the heck is it?

 

[Chris L]

this is a heni

 

[Scuba_Dave]

In an aquarium, most larger fish do not achieve their natural size.
So, max size would probably "only" be maybe 7"
I also think there was a thread on here very recenlty on their survival rate
Which may not have been great. But did not have a large number due to the fact most people do not have a tank large enough

I have a 125g and feel it is too small, even for my Sailfin

 

[MAReefer1]

Thanks dave, Its gonna go back to the fish store tommorow, Im gonna have to do alot of reading before I get any more fish.

 

[Scuba_Dave]

It won't be the 1st time someone buys a "wrong" fish

I love the fish, have to wait until a new tank is setup

 

[sw300galma]

Most have ICH...ask me how i know....

Defianltey a no with a damsel or in a 55....They like to be in 3's or more, they will surly die and especially alone..

 

[Chris L]

mareefer pick up the scott michaels fish pocket guide. it is a great source of information. i will even bring it with me if i go to a lfs just in case i find something i like

 

[Moe_K]

mareefer pick up the scott michaels fish pocket guide. it is a great source of information. i will even bring it with me if i go to a lfs just in case i find something i like

I was just going to suggest this book. Probably the best hobby book I own.

 

[Scuba_Dave]

Thanks dave, Its gonna go back to the fish store tommorow, Im gonna have to do alot of reading before I get any more fish.

I've actually been thinking about this today

If you can't bring him back, or don't want to - there are plenty of people with large fish in "small" tanks. A 55g is 4' - min size in length that I would ever consider for a larger fish. I good size sump can offset bio load too
I've seen 75 & 90g tanks with 4-5 large tangs in them

The fish has just as much chance in your tank as others
A larger tank would be nice
Having this fish may mean limiting other fish - due to bio-load

But smaller fish - as long as they aren't agressive - would not be much of a problem. When I setup the 180g I will actually buy more smaller fish then any larger fish

 

[NateHanson]

I agree with Dave on this one. If you want to try the fish, I think it'll be a good occupant for a few years. Perhaps it will outgrow eventually, but a 55 is a 4 foot tank. You'll have to keep very few other fish though.

As far as reef safeness, I've read and heard that the Schooling Bannerfish (I forget the species name) is reef safe, but the other one that looks almost identical is not reef safe.

 

[MAReefer1]

Wow, thanks, I was actually going to return him tomorow, now I guess I wont.

 

[NateHanson]

There are definitely a variety of opinions here. I'd say on balance the good advice youve gotten is to return him, but as usual there are dissenters. Doesn't make me right though!

Good luck with the fish either way.