Three Band Pennant Butterflyfish

Three Band Pennant Butterflyfish (Heniochus chrysostomus) is a peaceful species that is reef-safe with caution, admired for its distinctive coloration featuring three bold black vertical bands across a white body, a yellow-tinted snout, and an elongated dorsal fin resembling a pennant. This eye-catching appearance often causes it to be mistaken for its close relative, the Bannerfish. Males typically exhibit slightly more intense coloration and may grow marginally larger, while females/juveniles are generally smaller with a less developed dorsal pennant. They reach about 7 inches in adult size and should be housed in aquariums of at least 100 gallons.

Provide open swimming space, live rock for grazing, and occasional hiding spots to support their natural behavior. They do best in stable water conditions: salinity around 1.020–1.025, temperature between 72–79°F, and pH around 8.1–8.4. A secure lid is important, as they may jump when startled or during nighttime activity.

Diet should consist of frozen mysis shrimp, brine shrimp, finely chopped seafood, high-quality marine pellets, algae-based foods, and ideally sponge-based preparations, reflecting their natural diet which includes benthic invertebrates and coral polyps. While they may occasionally nip at corals or sessile invertebrates, many aquarists have had success in carefully monitored reef tanks, making them reef-safe with caution. With proper care, the Three Band Pennant Butterflyfish is a striking and graceful addition to larger marine aquariums.

International Aquatics Quarantine & Guarantee: All fish are checked by marine vets, given a formalin bath, and held for 14 days in copper-treated systems. We feed Selcon-soaked food with Kanaplex and Metroplex during quarantine. Unless marked, all livestock comes with our 15-Day Guarantee. You will receive a video of your fish eating before shipment. On request, we also send photos/videos after arrival at IA. Some species are import-to-order (3-10 business days). Many common species are already cleared or near the end of QT.

Several species will be import-to-order and may take anywhere from 3-10 business days to secure. Once your fish is secured, you will be notified, and the quarantine process will then begin.