Heniochus (Banner fish) Behavior?

[justonemoretank]

Hi all.... I've got a question for those of you who have Heniochus, or banner fish. I've got three of the little guys (and I do mean little... they're about an inch and half long, if that!) in my 180 reef. Other fish are a Blue Tang, Coral Beauty, and Snowflake Eel.

I've noticed the banner fish swimming alongside of the other fish and doing what appears to be "cleaning"... picking at the sides of the fish with their little mouths.

The fish eat like there's no tomorrow, both frozen, meaty foods soaked in Garlic and Selcon, and Nori, which is placed in at night, mostly for the benefit of the eel (he's small and has a lot easier time eating things that stay still!).

Has anyone ever noticed this type behavior in their own fish? It looks very strange, but the other fish don't seem to mind...

 

[justonemoretank]

Never mind LOL I delved deeper into Wet Web Media... found out the whole scientific name, Heniochus diphreutes, and Bob Fenner does indeed state "cleaners as juveniles." So I answered my own question...

 

[BIGgourami]

yes they definitely act as cleaners when young (a batch we just got in at work are going nuts-o )

are you sure your have H. diphruetes? the difference between them and H. acuminatus is marginal...

 

[justonemoretank]

I know, and almost impossible to tell unless they're side-by-side... but I THINK I have H. diphruetes. From my understanding, they are the easier to find in the hobby, and the photos I've looked at of the very, very juveniles have matched up... but I guess we'll see!

Also, we just got a really nice-sized Copperband... he (Spot, of course!) is in QT... I'll hopefully have pics up soon. Has nothing to do with this thread, but he ate in the store, and he's eaten already tonight, which is exicting, and he's just beautiful!