Longnose Butterfly (Forcipiger Flavissimus)

Also Known As: Yellow Longnose Butterfly, Forceps Butterflyfish

Compatibility and Behavior
That remarkable snout is the whole story with the Longnose Butterfly (Forcipiger flavissimus). The extremely elongated, slender nose isn't just for looks, it's a precision tool the fish uses to reach into crevices and pluck out tiny invertebrates and morsels other fish simply can't get to, which gives it an almost surgical air as it threads between the rocks. Pair that with a bright yellow body and a jet-black face and you have a genuine standout for a larger FOWLR or carefully planned reef...by far one of the most breathtaking species in the trade.

It's also on the more peaceful and manageable end of the butterfly spectrum, which adds to the appeal. Because its diet leans more toward inverts than corals, it's often a slightly safer bet in a reef than many butterflies, but it still earns a reef safe with caution rating, since it may nip tube worms, small crustaceans, and occasionally soft corals or LPS while foraging. It generally ignores other fish, gets along with calm tankmates like tangs, wrasses, and Anthias, and can even be kept as a pair in a very large system. The one thing to watch is bullying, as this is a sensitive fish that fares poorly when harassed or outcompeted.

Aquarium Requirements
Give this fish a mature tank with room to cruise and, just as importantly, intricate rockwork full of the crevices and overhangs it loves to probe with that long snout. Medium individuals in the 2.5 to 3.5 inch range make a solid start in a 90 to 100 gallon tank, while large specimens are better suited to 125-plus gallon systems with long footprints and strong, stable filtration. Provide moderate, well-oxygenated flow and a balance of open water and rock zones for cruising, exploring, and retreating when startled. It particularly appreciates a tank rich in natural microfauna to hunt, but should also get a varied diet of small meaty foods like mysis and finely chopped seafood, plus quality marine pellets and frozen omnivore blends, to keep it well conditioned and less inclined to over-pick at sessile inverts.

Specifications
Approximate Size: Md: 2.5–3.5", Lg: 3.5–5"
Diet: Omnivore; small meaty foods such as mysis and chopped seafood, plus quality marine pellets and frozen blends
Origin: Indo-Pacific
Care Level: Intermediate
Reef Safe: With caution
Temperament: Peaceful to semi-aggressive
Minimum Tank Size: 90 gallons for medium specimens, with a larger system required as it grows
Special Considerations: Reef safe with caution, as it may pick at tube worms, small inverts, and occasionally soft corals or LPS, so best in a FOWLR or coral-cautious setup; a sensitive fish that can be bullied, so avoid aggressive tankmates