TankBud

Big longnose butterflyfish

Forcipiger longirostris

Also known as Big Longnose Butterfly, Very Long-Nose Butterflyfish, Forceps Butterflyfish, Longnose Coralfish

SaltwaterFish

Big longnose butterflyfish (Forcipiger longirostris)
Ahmed Abdul Rahman · CC BY-SA 4.0

Care at a glance

Temperature
73–81°F
23–27°C
pH
8.1–8.4
Adult size
8.7 in
22 cm
Minimum tank
100 gal
380 L
Temperament
Peaceful
Social behavior
Solitary
Tankmates
With caution
Swim level
Middle
Diet
Carnivore
Difficulty
Medium
Breeding
No record
Rarity
Common
Reef safe
Reef safe with caution
Family
Chaetodontidae
Origin
Widespread in the Indo-Pacific from East Africa to Hawaii and the Marquesas, on coral rich seaward reefs.

Overview

The big longnose butterflyfish is a peaceful butterflyfish for a large reef tank. It is best with a little reef experience.

Did you know

The big longnose butterflyfish's extra long snout works like tweezers. It lets the fish pull hidden shrimp and worms out of cracks that are off limits to other reef fish.

Caring for the big longnose butterflyfish

Give a big longnose butterflyfish a tank of at least 100 gal (380 L). The rock should be mature and full of small life to pick at. Keep the water at 73 to 81°F (23 to 27°C) with a pH of 8.1 to 8.4.

It feeds largely on small crustaceans, such as tiny shrimp hidden in the reef, and on urchin tube feet. Feed small meaty foods often, cut fine enough for its tiny mouth.

It is reef safe with caution, since it targets small crustaceans and may nip feather dusters or clam mantles. It is still more coral tolerant than most butterflyfish. Keep only one unless you have a bonded pair, as it fights others of its kind.

Good to know

Forcipiger longirostris is a butterflyfish in the family Chaetodontidae, with a long tube snout, a yellow body and a black face. It has one of the longest snouts of any reef fish relative to its body. The snout is even longer than that of the similar yellow longnose butterflyfish. A rare all black color form of this species is highly prized by collectors.

In the wild

The big longnose butterflyfish is widespread in the Indo-Pacific, from East Africa to Hawaii and the Marquesas. It cruises coral-rich seaward reef slopes, usually alone or in a pair.

Common questions

What size tank does a big longnose butterflyfish need?

A big longnose butterflyfish needs at least 100 gal (380 L). It spends most of its time in the middle.

What temperature and pH does a big longnose butterflyfish need?

A big longnose butterflyfish is comfortable at 73–81°F (23–27°C) with a pH of 8.1–8.4.

What does a big longnose butterflyfish eat?

A big longnose butterflyfish eats small meaty foods, cut fine for its tiny mouth and offered often. Its natural diet is mostly small crustaceans and urchin tube feet.

How big does a big longnose butterflyfish get?

An adult big longnose butterflyfish reaches about 8.7 in (22 cm).

Related species