Relevant synonyms None Misidentification None Meristic formula D, XI + 25-26; A, III + 17-18; P, 15-16; V, I + 5 photo: John E. Randall acknowledgements to FishBase

SHORT DESCRIPTION Body deep and highly compressed. The first three dorsal spines are isolated, the fourth extremely elongated. Pelvic fin and the posterior part of the dorsal and anal fins are round. Caudal fin truncated or slightly rounded. Snout pointed; small mouth. Two outwardly angling bony tubercles ("horns") above the eyes. color : Body off-white to yellowish with two broad black bands, the first band extending from the dorsal fin origin through head to pelvic fin while the second band runs from the 4th dorsal spine to the rear of the anal fin. Pectoral, caudal and posterior part of dorsal fin are yellow. Pelvic fin black. size : 10-18 cm (max. 20 cm). DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS Body shape and color pattern do not resemble that of any other species (indigenous or exotic) in the Mediterranean. BIOLOGY / ECOLOGY Generally lives in pairs in distinct territory but occasionally forms large aggregations. Juveniles live in large groups. Feeds on zooplankton and benthic invertebrates. May also feed on algae. Eggs and larvae planktonic. habitat : coral reefs to depths of 50 cm.

1st MEDITERRANEAN RECORD 2002, Gulf of Antalya, Turkey. DISTRIBUTION Worldwide: Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden. Mediterranean: a pair was sighted, one of which was consequently collected in the Gulf of Antalya, Turkey (Gökoglu et al., 2003). More recently recorded in Lebanon. ESTABLISHMENT SUCCESS Very rare. speculated reasons for success : MODE OF INTRODUCTION Probably via the Suez Canal. IMPORTANCE TO HUMANS None.

KEY REFERENCES Allen G.R., R. Steene and M. Allen, 1998. A Guide to Angelfishes and Butterflyfishes. Perth: Odyssey Publishing/Tropical Reef Research. 250 p. Gökoglu M., T. Bodur and Y. Kaya, 2003. First record of the Red Sea bannerfish (Heniochus intermedius Steindachner, 1893) from the Mediterranean Sea. Israel Journal of Zoology, 49: 324-325. Randall J.E., 1983. Red Sea Reef Fishes. IMMEL Publishing, London. 192 pp. FEEDBACK / COMMENTS TO AUTHORS

Last update of the species sheet: November 2013 ©ciesm 2002