Anyone keep Phantom Bannerfish (Heniochus pleurotaenia)?

[Western_reefer]

Anyone keep a Phantom Bannerfish (Heniochus pleurotaenia)? What has your experience been with these fish? Will one do fine in a 40 gallon breeder? (36"longx18"widex16"high) The rock work will be more of an open scape. Here is a picture.
http://i53.*******.com/alg9br.jpg

[SkullV]

I would say just by the fact that Liveaquaria's minimum tank size is 70 gal (and they are usually pretty low compared to actual minimum size) I would stay away from this fish in a 40 breeder, But then again I keep a sargassum trigger in a 130g system and he is doing great.

[Western_reefer]

I would say just by the fact that Liveaquaria's minimum tank size is 70 gal (and they are usually pretty low compared to actual minimum size) I would stay away from this fish in a 40 breeder, But then again I keep a sargassum trigger in a 130g system and he is doing great.

130 gallon Display Tank or 130 gallon total system including the sump?

[Western_reefer]

Also, a 40 breeder and 75 gallon isn't too much different dimension wise. 40 breeder is 36"long x 18"wide x 16"high, 75 gallon is 48"long x 18"wise x 21"high. 75 gallon is longer by 12 inches and 6 inches higher, height doesn't really matter unless the tank is really really shallow. So, that is why I was asking if this fish would be fine in a 40 breeder.

[AuroraDrvr]

They get big. Much bigger than a 40 gallon or a 70 gallon for that matter, can handle. Phantoms seem to be more active swimmers that prefer more open water swimming than usual butterflies, but less than say a Pyramid. Regardless of rock structuring, I do not believe a Phantom would thrive in a 40 gallon.

[Western_reefer]

They get 5-6 inches long max,(might not reach that long in captivity) are you sure your not mistaking the Heniochus pleurotaenia for Heniochus varius(looks almost the same, but gets 8-9 inches long) or Heniochus acuminatus(which gets 10-11 inches long) Pyramid butterflyfish get 7-8 inches long as well. But, I doubt they get that large in captivity.

[SkullV]

130 gallon Display Tank or 130 gallon total system including the sump?

110ish (weird dimension/shape bow front) display tank and 20g sump but I have a 55g sump in the works right now to increase the fuge size. Also a 12" (one foot) difference in length is a huge difference to fish with strong swimming bursts like butterfly fish have.

[AuroraDrvr]

They get 5-6 inches long max,(might not reach that long in captivity) are you sure your not mistaking the Heniochus pleurotaenia for Heniochus varius(looks almost the same, but gets 8-9 inches long) or Heniochus acuminatus(which gets 10-11 inches long) Pyramid butterflyfish get 7-8 inches long as well. But, I doubt they get that large in captivity.
They get bigger than the Fishbase listed size. Still, a 5-6" is quite big in respect to a 40 breeder or 75 gallon.

I just looked through you're 180 build and it looks like you had a larger Acanthurus nigricaudus and a Acanthurus nigroris tang. Both of which seemed to be in the general 5-7" range. Could you imagine either one of those in a 40 gallon? Happy/Healthy butterflies like to be out and about, swimming. They aren't stationary fish by any means. They're certainly not perchers or sand dwellers.

Better question. Would you keep a 4-5" Sailfin Tang in a 40 Breeder? Heniochus swim just as much as Zebrasoma tangs, granted at a slower pace.

[Western_reefer]

They get bigger than the Fishbase listed size. Still, a 5-6" is quite big in respect to a 40 breeder or 75 gallon.

I just looked through you're 180 build and it looks like you had a larger Acanthurus nigricaudus and a Acanthurus nigroris tang. Both of which seemed to be in the general 5-7" range. Could you imagine either one of those in a 40 gallon? Happy/Healthy butterflies like to be out and about, swimming. They aren't stationary fish by any means. They're certainly not perchers or sand dwellers.

Better question. Would you keep a 4-5" Sailfin Tang in a 40 Breeder? Heniochus swim just as much as Zebrasoma tangs, granted at a slower pace.

Oh. No, I wouldn't put a sailfin in a 40 breeder. lol I guess I'll scratch this fish off my fish list as well. Thanks for all the help/info everyone!

[AuroraDrvr]

Have you checked out the Prognathodes aculeatus, the Atlantic Longnose? They stay small-ish and would do okay in a 40 breeder.

[Western_reefer]

Have you checked out the Prognathodes aculeatus, the Atlantic Longnose? They stay small-ish and would do okay in a 40 breeder.

Nope, but aren't they deep water so they would need cooler temperatures?

[SDguy]

Heniochus species are big and major movers...I'd look for something else.