any experience with the black&white banner fish?

[petermai]

i'm interested in getting this fish. he's quite a looker. liveaquaria states that this fish is not reef safe. i'm planning to put him in a near future 120gal mixed tank consisting of softies now but more lps will be added in the future, what do you guys think?

[Monkeyfish]

I believe that there are 2 species of this fish. One being reef safe while the other is not. They look very similar and it can be difficult to tell them apart. Sorry, but the latin names escape me. Hopefully someone else can help out.

[Highlander]

Heniochus diphreutes - are the reef safe ones.

[Monkeyfish]

There you go - thanks Highlander.

[petermai]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=6643421#post6643421 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Highlander
Heniochus diphreutes - are the reef safe ones.

i can't find this fish on liveaquaria.com, do you have a link by any chance?

[Monkeyfish]

I haven't seen any for sale on Web sites (Marine Depot or Live Aquaria). You might want to try and order one from a reputable LFS.

[petermai]

ok will do, thanks for the info.

[drbronx]

Check out vividaquariums.com. They list them for sale.

[Gobie]

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&postid=6611869#

[JIM260]

I bought 4 Heni's of the reef safe variety about two weeks ago from The Marine Center. They are about two inches long. They were an incidental fish I just thru into an order of which a Clown Tang was the primary fish. Told them not to ship if there is no tang. What do I get?????? 4 Henis and no Tang. Unfortunately that has been my luck with most online vendors.

Back to the subject. They have turned into a family favorite! I was concerned because of their size and the size of my tank and the amount of big tangs I have. They hold their own and more. THEY HAVE BEEN REGULARLY CLEANING THE TANGS AND EVERBODY ELSE! Its a gas to watch. I have no parasite issues but boy do the fish line up. I have 4 cleaner shrimp that have been in the tank for 4 years that dont clean a thing. My big sailfin, turns sideways with his fins fully extended and they are all over him. :)

[Mike de Leon]

try www.marinecenter.com they have unusal and common fish u might want to give the place a try

[JIM260]

On a more positive note regarding my Butterflies and other animals received from www.marinecenter.com, the animals were all healthy and have been doing great.

[petermai]

so to clear things up one last time before running down to a reputable lfs to order this guy. heniochus diphreutes is the one that is reef safe, correct?

[wenright]

heniochus diphreutes is reef safe

[JIM260]

Regarding reef safe- no problems with my four yet and I have a little bit of everything in my tank.

Scott Micheals book, Reef Fishes, has pictures of both types and outlines which is safe and which is not. They are VERY similar looking.