Longnose butterflyfish (Forcipiger flavissimus) care guide

Group
Marine fish
Other names
Yellow longnose butterflyfish, Forceps butterflyfish, Forcepsfish
Family
Chaetodontidae (butterflyfishes)
Origin
Tropical Indo-Pacific from East Africa and the Red Sea to Hawaii, and the eastern Pacific from Baja California to the Galápagos.
Water
saltwater
Maximum size
22 cm
Temperature
24–27°C
pH
8.1–8.4
Hardness
Salinity SG 1.023–1.026
Minimum tank
350 litres
Care level
intermediate
Temperament
peaceful
Reef safe
no

Care

Needs a mature tank with plenty of live rock to forage over; 350 litres is an estimate from its size. Water figures given here are general marine aquarium guidance, not species-specific: 24–27 °C, pH 8.1–8.4 and a specific gravity of 1.023–1.026. Keep nitrate low and water quality stable. In the wild pairs patrol coral patches together and may stay together for seven years or more. Same-sex territory holders are aggressive to one another, and the fish make sounds during territorial displays. Bright yellow with a black-and-silver head, a long snout and an eyespot on the anal fin. Sources: Wikipedia, List of marine aquarium fish species (en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Listofmarineaquariumfishspecies); Wikipedia (en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Forcipigerflavissimus). Checked October 2026.

Diet

A bottom-feeder that uses its long snout to pick small invertebrates from crevices. In captivity offer mysis, chopped shellfish, worms and krill several times a day.

Breeding

Forms long-lasting male–female pairs and releases free-floating eggs, so no parental care is needed. Not bred in home aquaria.

Compatibility and tank mates

Peaceful with other fish; keep singly or as a pair. Listed as not reef safe: it picks at tubeworms, small shrimps and other invertebrates.

Last updated 8 October 2026. Community-edited care guide on Aquatic-Auctions.

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