Forcipiger
From Microcosm Aquarium Explorer
Forcipiger flavissimus, Longnose Butterflyfish. Scott W. Michael
Family: Chaetodontidae
Species in Genus Forcipiger:
LONGNOSE BUTTERFLYFISHES
The two species in this genus both have bright yellow bodies and extremely elongated snouts, which are used to pluck invertebrates from reef interstices.
The Yellow Longnose Butterflyfish (F. flavissimus) is the easier to keep, but is also more of a threat to invertebrates (e.g., it uses its jaws to pull the feeding tentacles off fanworms and to amputate echinoderm tube feet). It rarely feeds on hard- and soft-coral polyps in the wild, but does pose some risk to corals in the reef aquarium, especially large-polyped stony corals.
The Big Longnose Butterflyfish (F. longirostris) is not a threat to ornamental invertebrates, but can be difficult to feed. It has a pipette-like mouth and ingests tiny crustaceans. It tends to do better in a reef tank with well-established live substrate.
| Family | Chaetodontidae + |
| Image credit | SWM + |
| Reference | A PocketExpert Guide to Reef Aquarium Fishes + |
| Text credit | SWM + |