Scientific Name: Zanclus cornutus

Types:

• Only species in the Zanclidae family (No subspecies, but often confused with butterflyfish and bannerfish).

Habitat:

• Found in tropical coral reefs and lagoon waters at depths of 3 to 180 feet (1 to 55 meters).
• Prefers areas with rich coral growth and rocky substrates.
• Found in small groups or pairs, but sometimes seen alone.

Diet:

• Omnivorous – feeds on sponges, tunicates, algae, and small invertebrates.
• Uses its long, tubular snout to forage in coral crevices.

Reproduction:

• External fertilization – eggs are released into open water and hatch into planktonic larvae.
• Juveniles drift in the open ocean before settling in coral reefs.

Spotting Tips:

• Look for its distinctive black, white, and yellow bands and elongated dorsal fin.
• Often seen near reef edges or in clear, shallow lagoons.
• Can be mistaken for bannerfish, but has a more elongated snout and uniform body pattern.

Countries:

• Found in Indo-Pacific waters, including Hawaii, Australia, the Red Sea, and the Indian Ocean.
• Common around Fiji, Maldives, Thailand, Indonesia, and the Great Barrier Reef.