Yellow Longnose Butterfly Fish - Forcipiger flavissimus - Forceps Butterflyfish

Yellow Longnose Butterfly Fish - Forcipiger flavissimus: Long Nose Butterflies are, as their names would imply, quite interesting in shape. Their elongated snouts distinguish them from many other Butterflyfish, and their bright coloring and hardy nature can make them wonderful pets.

The Long Nose Butterfly is often found in pairs. These fish feed on small invertebrates, plankton, fish eggs, and various other items that they find scavenging in tiny cracks or crevices in reefs. The long nosed adaptation that gives the Long Nose Butterfly its name aids it in this search for food. Because of such tendencies to forage for food, it is best to introduce Long Nose Butterflyfish into well-established aquariums furnished with plenty of live rock. Prepared food can sometimes be poked into crevices for the Long Nose Butterfly to root out. They have been known to nibble at certain corals, and may not be reef safe for this reason. Most individuals are reef safe, leaving corals alone. The nose length rule certainly applies here. Butterflyfish with longer noses prefer to feed on small invertebrates in cracks of rocks. Butterflyfish with short noses are much more likely to feed on corals, clams, and sponges. Most Long Nose Butterflies get along peacefully with other fish. However, pairs will often defend a territory from similar fish and it may be wise to keep only one pair of Long Nose Butterflies in one aquarium. Long Nose Butterflies are quite hardy and are often considered to be one of the best Butterflyfish for beginners. They are certainly one of the most common butterflyfish in the pet trade. One interesting behavior is their tendency to occasionally swim upside down along the surface of the water.

The lovely Long Nose Butterfly is usually bright yellow in color. Directly behind the pectoral fin is a lighter, white area. The snout of the Long Nose Butterfly is, as one might assume, quite long. It is thin, and the mouth opening is quite small. These fish can reach up to seven to nine inches (18 to 23 centimeters) in length.

Native to the Indo Pacific region, Long Nose Butterfly Fish are lovely and are a great joy to divers or marine aquarium enthusiasts. Many are also found in the Red Sea. In Hawaii, they are not as common as some other species, and are most often found near Maui. However, where they are found, they are often quite populous. They are quite popular in saltwater aquariums.

Long Nose Butterflies can often be tempted with live mysis or brine shrimp when they are to begin feeding in captivity.

Maximum Size: The Yellow Long Nose grows up to 9 inches.

General Size Specifications: The small size will come to you generally 1 to 2 inches; the medium generally 3 to 4 inches; the large generally 5 to 6 inches not including the caudal fin.

Minimum Tank Size: The Yellow Longnose Butterfly prefers a tank of at least 80 gallons with plenty of places to hide & swim.

Water Conditions: Keep water quality high (SG 1.020 - 1.025, pH 8.1 - 8.4, Temp. 72 - 78° F).

Habitat: Native to the Indo Pacific region, Long Nose Butterfly Fish are lovely and are a great joy to divers or marine aquarium enthusiasts. Many are also found in the Red Sea. In Hawaii, they are not as common as some other species, and are most often found near Maui. However, where they are found, they are often quite populous. They are quite popular in saltwater aquariums.

Feeding and Diet: The Yellow Longnose Butterflyfish is reported to ignore corals in captivity but has been frequently seen feeding on stony and soft corals in the wild. It will nip at urchins, and tubeworms (including: Feather Dusters, Fan Worms, Coco Worms, and Spaghetti worms). Feed a varied diet of mysis shrimp. Marine and crustacean flesh as well as other commercially frozen preparations. To maintain body weight, the Yellow Longnose Butterflyfish may need to be fed up to three times a day.

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