Butterflyfish - Long Nose

Other Breeds

Keeshond   |   Palomino   |   Pig – Pot Bellied   |  

Alternative Name

Longnose Butterfly, Forceps Butterfly Fish Scientific Name: Forcipiger flavissimus

Basic Info

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.

Health

A single, smaller, Long Nose Butterfly should be kept in an aquarium of at least 55 gallons in volume. Temperatures should remain between 72 and 78 degrees Fahrenheit with pH values of 8.3 or 8.4. A specific gravity of 1.020 to 1.023 is normally preferred for Long Nose Butterflies, although in aquariums containing invertebrates, the specific gravity would be better kept between 1.023 and 1.025, for the health of the other inhabitants. Most Long Nose Butterflies get along well with other fish. Long Nose Butterflies should be fed a variety of foods. Protein items seem to be especially important; crustaceans, clams, and mussels are often offered. Sponges and algae also seem to be favorites. Long Nose Butterflies can often be tempted with live mysis or brine shrimp when they are to begin feeding in captivity.

Habitat

Saltwater fish - most often found near Maui

Behavior

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. 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.

Origin

Indo-Pacific

History

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.

Common Foods

These fish feed on small invertebrates, plankton, fish eggs, and various other items that they find scavenging in tiny cracks or crevices in reefs.