Origin
Widespread across the Indo-Pacific, from the Red Sea and East Africa to the Great Barrier Reef and French Polynesia. Commonly found near coral reefs, drop-offs, and lagoons.

Visual & Behavioral Appeal
Striking high-contrast pattern of black and white vertical bars with a trailing white dorsal fin streamer. Moves gracefully in open water. Highly social and often swims in loose groups or pairs.

Purpose
Functions as a visual anchor in reef layouts, providing constant motion and elegance. Helps create a sense of scale and realism in larger aquariums.

Importance
A classic "show" species for saltwater tanks. More tolerant than true butterflyfish but still signals water quality issues quickly. Great educational species due to its mimicry of the Moorish Idol.

Included Resources
Needs strong filtration, oxygen-rich water, moderate current, and ample swimming room. Caves and overhangs provide comfort and resting areas.

Best Use Cases
Works well in fish-only-with-live-rock (FOWLR) systems and some reef tanks. Ideal for public displays, larger community tanks, and Indo-Pacific biotope aquascapes.

Conservation Context
Populations are considered stable, but reef degradation and overharvesting in some regions are concerns. Choose sources that follow ethical, location-traceable collection practices.

Ideal Aquatic Species
• Peaceful tangs (e.g., Yellow, Bristletooth)
• Wrasses (flasher, fairy, Halichoeres types)
• Anthias and chromis
• Gobies and dartfish
• Other bannerfish species in large tanks

Region (A)
• Latitude: 0.7893° S
• Longitude: 113.9213° E
(Central Indonesia – coral reefs and drop-offs)

Region (B)
• Latitude: -18.2871° S
• Longitude: 147.6992° E
(Great Barrier Reef, Australia – outer reef slopes)