Longnose Butterflyfish
Forcipiger flavissimus
A strikingly vibrant yellow butterflyfish famous for its elongated, forceps-like snout used to extract small invertebrates from deep reef crevices.
Ideal Conditions
- Temperature
- 23 – 27 °C
- pH range
- 8.1 – 8.4
- Hardness
- 8 – 12 dGH
- Salinity
- 1.02 – 1.025 SG
- Adult size
- 18 – 22 cm
- Standard 4ft tank
- 280 litres+
- Lifespan
- 10 – 15 years
- Diet
- Carnivore
- Water flow
- moderate
- Preferred setup
- FOWLR or cautious reef with extensive live rock for foraging and shelter
About the Longnose Butterflyfish
The Longnose Butterflyfish (Forcipiger flavissimus) is undoubtedly one of the most recognisable and beloved marine species in the aquarium hobby. Clad in brilliant yellow with a sharply contrasting black and white head, its highly specialised snout makes it perfectly adapted for intricate reef foraging. Unlike many obligate corallivore butterflyfish that are notoriously difficult to keep, this species adapts relatively well to captivity and readily accepts prepared foods once settled. It brings vibrant colour and graceful, almost hovering swimming patterns to the marine aquarium.
Find Longnose Butterflyfish
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Is it right for your tank?
Check Longnose Butterflyfish against a habitat you already keep. We compare water type, temperature, pH, adult size, group needs and everything living there.
Where Longnose Butterflyfish comes from
Native range
Indo-Pacific, Red Sea, Eastern Pacific
Countries / regions
Australia, Indonesia, Philippines, United States
Habitat
Exposed seaward reefs, lagoons, and rocky crevices
Possesses the widest distribution of any butterflyfish species, stretching from the Red Sea to the Americas.
Similar species
Big Longnose Butterflyfish
Forcipiger longirostris
Copperband Butterflyfish
Chelmon rostratus
Yellow Tang
Zebrasoma flavescens
We’re adding more full species guides as the catalogue grows.
Compatible tank mates
Reviewed guidance based on this species' recorded traits.
- Great
Ocellaris Clownfish
Amphiprion ocellaris
Peaceful, occupies a different territory within the tank, and will not compete for the same rocky foraging spots.
- Great
Coral Beauty Angelfish
Centropyge bispinosa
A dwarf angelfish that generally ignores the butterflyfish, though they share grazing habits. Adequate rockwork ensures harmony.
- Great
Royal Gramma
Gramma loreto
Stays near its chosen cave, peaceful, and poses no threat to the Longnose Butterflyfish.
- Compatible with caution
Yellow Tang
Zebrasoma flavescens
Similar bright yellow coloration may trigger territorial aggression from the tang, especially in smaller aquariums.
- Compatible with caution
Christmas Tree Worms
Spirobranchus giganteus
The Longnose Butterflyfish's natural diet includes small tube worms and benthic invertebrates; it is highly likely to nip at or consume them.
- Not recommended
Bigeye Houndshark
Iago omanensis
Large predatory species will view the butterflyfish as prey.
- Not recommended
Big Longnose Butterflyfish
Forcipiger longirostris
High risk of conspecific aggression; keeping similar-looking butterflyfish species together usually results in severe territorial fighting.
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