Family: Chaetodontidae
Latin Name: Forcipiger flavissimus
Common Name: Yellow Longnose Butterfly
a.k.a.: Longnosed Butterfly, Forceps fish
Identification: The Yellow Longnose has a shorter snout with a larger mouth than its counterpart the Big Longnose Butterfly. These two species can also be separated by the count of their dorsal spines. Both fish have 12 spines but the Yellow Longnose has anywhere from 22-24 soft rays whereas its close relative the Big Longnose has 25-28 soft rays.
Range in nature: From the Red Sea and East Africa to the Hawaiian Islands. As far north as southern Japan, throughout Micronesia and to the Eastern Pacific Ocean, Baja California, Mexico, Galapagos islands.
The Yellow Longnose can be found at depths ranging between 3 to 100 feet deep, swimming alone or in groups of up to 5 fish.
Size: Adults can grow to 8”
Minimum aquarium size: 75 gallons
Diet: Carnivorous (to be fed marine fish, crustacean flesh, mysid shrimp). Feeding 2-3 times a day. Being a thin-bodied fish if it’s not provided with a proper and ample diet it may starve.
Ease of Care: 4 (5=easy, 1=difficult)
Water Region in aquarium: No special requirements.
Reef Aquarium compatibility: Being unpredictable, this fish seems to ignore corals in reef tanks but has been known to be found grazing in areas with abundant corals (both stony and soft) in the wild. Will eat fan and tubeworms.
Very beautiful and interesting fish the Yellow Longnose is a pretty hardy aquarium resident. Considering the delicate nature of the butterfly species this fish adapts to aquarium life rather easily. It begins feeding rather sooner than most butterflies in captivity. Being a peaceful animal the Yellow Longnose will do best if kept in a peaceful aquarium environment, however, it can be kept in a moderately bold environment provided it’s introduced into the tank before its bolder tank mates. When challenged or harassed this butterfly will prop-up its dorsal spines towards the aggressor to defend itself. It is wise to keep one per tank as they tend to become aggressive towards members of their own species.
Gorgeous and quite hardy, the Yellow Longnose is very popular as a “first-timers” butterflyfish.
Thank you all.
