Longnose Butterflyfish (Forcipiger longirostris)

The Longnose Butterflyfish is one of the most elegant and characterful butterflies available in the hobby. With its vivid yellow body, striking black-and-white head markings, and an impossibly long, needle-like snout, this fish looks purpose-built for probing into reef crevices after small prey. F. longirostris is distinguished from its close relative F. flavissimus by a cluster of small black dots on the chest and black coloration that covers the entire eye, rather than just the upper portion. It is one of the better butterflyfish choices for dedicated fish-only and FOWLR systems, and a rewarding fish for keepers who invest time in getting it settled and feeding well.

Why we love it

• Extraordinary elongated snout, one of the most distinctive silhouettes in the hobby
• Bold yellow colouration with sharp contrast against blue reef lighting
• Peaceful and graceful, with active foraging behaviour
• One of the more aquarium-adaptable butterflies once established

Suggested parameters

• Temperature: 24 to 26°C (75 to 79°F)
• Salinity: 1.024 to 1.026 SG
• pH: 8.1 to 8.4
• Alkalinity: 8 to 10 dKH
• Ammonia/Nitrite: 0
• Nitrate: Under 20 ppm (stable, mature water chemistry preferred)

Care and temperament

• Difficulty: Moderate (sensitive to unstable water quality and acclimation stress)
• Temperament: Peaceful toward most tankmates, can be territorial toward other butterflyfish
• Reef safe: With caution (generally leaves stony corals alone, but will target tubeworms, small ornamental shrimp, and other small invertebrates)
• Minimum tank size: 100 gallons, with ample live rock

Diet

F. longirostris uses its long snout to probe coral branches and reef crevices for small crustacean prey, which it takes whole. In the aquarium, getting this fish onto frozen foods is the key to long-term success.

• Frozen mysis shrimp (primary staple once accepted)
• Frozen brine shrimp and enriched artemia
• Finely chopped meaty marine foods
• High-quality carnivore pellets as a supplement once trained
• Pressing soft foods into crevices or openings on a piece of dead coral skeleton can encourage finicky new arrivals to begin feeding
• Small clams or black mussels on the half-shell placed in the tank can also help entice reluctant feeders, with frozen mysis becoming more readily accepted over time
• Target feeding is often necessary given the narrow snout; feed 2 to 3 times per day

Compatibility and tankmates

• Peaceful with most reef fish of similar or larger size
• Can be shy when first introduced; more assertive tankmates should be added after this species has settled in
• Best kept without others of the same genus unless a confirmed male-female pair, as they can become territorial and fight for territory
• Avoid very small shrimp and ornamental worms, these will be eaten
• Good companions include peaceful tangs, larger wrasses, and similarly sized passive fish

Health and acclimation notes

Longnose Butterflyfish can be sensitive to ich and other common marine parasites, particularly during the stress of shipping and acclimation. Quarantine is strongly recommended before introduction to a display system. A well-established tank with plenty of live rock for natural foraging opportunities gives this fish the best start. A well established system with ample live rock offering natural feeding opportunities is highly recommended for this species.

What you are buying

• You will receive: 1 Longnose Butterflyfish (Forcipiger longirostris)
• Colour and size can vary between individuals

Slow acclimation is strongly recommended, and quarantine before display is encouraged, especially in systems with sensitive or high-value livestock.