The pennant coralfish (Heniochus acuminatus), also known as the longfin bannerfish or coachman is a tropical fish of the family Chaetodontidae. It is also known colloquially as the "poor man's moorish idol".

The fish is mostly black and white, with an elongated dorsal fin making the fish reach around 25 cm. The fish's caudal, anal and pectoral fins are most commonly bright yellow. It is very similar in appearance to the closely related Heniochus diphreutes, but has a longer and more circular shape.

The species are social fish, and found in pairs or in shoals. They are a very passive fish, and rarely territorial. Some individuals even act as cleaners, especially when young, by removing parasites from other fish.

The pennant coralfish's natural distribution is in the Indian and Pacific oceans in reef settings, from southern Japan to Micronesia and Lord Howe Island. Also found in the Seychelles.

MEDIA: Acrylic on Canvas
DATE: October, 2008
SIZE: 500mm (w) x 800mm (h)