Longnose Butterflyfish

The Longnose Butterflyfish is one of the most recognizable and widely distributed butterflyfish species in the world's tropical oceans. Its vivid, bright yellow body is complemented by a dramatically elongated snout that can reach into the tightest crevices of coral heads to extract tiny invertebrates and tube worm tentacles. A bold black triangle covers the upper head and eye region, providing effective camouflage, while a dark false eyespot near the base of the anal fin helps confuse predators about the fish's orientation.

In the home aquarium, the Longnose Butterflyfish is considered one of the hardiest and most adaptable butterflyfish species, making it an excellent choice for aquarists with some experience in marine fishkeeping. Unlike many butterflyfish that refuse prepared foods, Forcipiger flavissimus typically transitions well to frozen and even pellet foods with relative ease. It is an active swimmer that patrols the reef structure throughout the day, probing crevices and picking at live rock surfaces in search of food.

This species is generally reef-compatible with caution, as it may occasionally nip at feather duster worms, tube worms, and certain small-polyped corals. It tends to leave most LPS and SPS corals alone, but individual behavior can vary. The Longnose Butterflyfish is peaceful toward other fish and can be kept with a wide variety of community tankmates. It should be housed singly or as a mated pair, as conspecifics will often quarrel in confined spaces.