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Big longnose butterflyfish (Forcipiger longirostris) — Chaetodontidae

Big longnose butterflyfish

Forcipiger longirostris
LC · Least Concern

The Big longnose butterflyfish (Forcipiger longirostris) is a saltwater fish of the family Chaetodontidae that grows up to 22 cm.

Length
22 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
0–200 m
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Small groups
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Flat / disc-shaped
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless
Range
Indo-West Pacific; seaward reefs.
Edibility
Not eaten

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Description

The longnose butterflyfish is a butterflyfish (Chaetodontidae) from the Indo-West Pacific. The species has a yellow body with a dark upper head and a very long, thin, tubular snout - the longest of all butterflyfishes - with which it can reach deep into crevices and among coral branches. It inhabits seaward reefs to deeper than 60 m. With its tweezer-like snout it selectively picks small crustaceans, especially shrimps, and other invertebrates. The species is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Big longnose butterflyfish?

The Big longnose butterflyfish has a flattened, disc-shaped body, is mainly yellow-gold and shows a plain pattern. Longest snout of all coral butterflyfishes; uses it to pick small shrimps precisely from reef crevices.

Where does the Big longnose butterflyfish live?

The Big longnose butterflyfish lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around stony or rocky ground. Indo-West Pacific; seaward reefs.

How big does the Big longnose butterflyfish get?

The Big longnose butterflyfish grows to a maximum of about 22 cm.

Is the Big longnose butterflyfish dangerous to humans?

No, the Big longnose butterflyfish is harmless to humans. None required: this species is harmless to humans.

Is the Big longnose butterflyfish edible?

The Big longnose butterflyfish is not usually eaten.

More photos

Big longnose butterflyfish (Forcipiger longirostris) — Chaetodontidae — 2
iNaturalist ((c) Debra Baker, some rights reserved (CC BY))
Big longnose butterflyfish (Forcipiger longirostris) — Chaetodontidae — 3
Wikimedia Commons — Rob (CC BY 2.0)
Big longnose butterflyfish (Forcipiger longirostris) — Chaetodontidae — 4
Wikimedia Commons — Ahmed Abdul Rahman (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Big longnose butterflyfish (Forcipiger longirostris) — Chaetodontidae — 5
iNaturalist ((c) Jens Sommer-Knudsen, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))

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All data

Identification

English name
Big longnose butterflyfish verified
Scientific name
Forcipiger longirostris
Family
Chaetodontidae
Other names
Big longnose butterflyfish; Big longnosed butterflyfish; Big long-nosed butterflyfish; Longnose butterflyfish; Black long-nosed butterflyfish; Big-longnose butterflyfish; Long-beaked butterfly fish; Long-bill; Long-nosed butterflyfish; Longsnouted coralfish; Pipe-snouted butterfly-fish; Rare long-nose verified

Appearance

Size class
Medium verified
Max length (cm)
22 verified
Body shape
Flat / disc-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Yellow / gold
Pattern
Plain
Tail shape
Straight
Mouth position
Terminal
Lips
Thin
Barbels
No sourced
Dorsal fins
One continuous
Dorsal spines
Yes sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Stone or rock sourced
Min depth (m)
0 verified
Max depth (m)
200 verified
Natural range
Indo-West Pacific; seaward reefs.
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore sourced
Diet (detail)
Small crustaceans, especially small shrimps, and other invertebrates sourced
Social behaviour
Small groups
Territorial
No
Activity
Diurnal
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
No
Seasonality
Present year-round in its habitat; no pronounced seasonality known.
Special features
Longest snout of all coral butterflyfishes; uses it to pick small shrimps precisely from reef crevices. sourced

For anglers

Edibility
Not eaten sourced
Fishing method
Fishing with natural bait (fish, shrimp, worm) or lures close to reef and rock structures.
Regulations source

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless sourced
First aid
None required: this species is harmless to humans. sourced

Status & sources

Sources
FishBase via GBIF (DwC-A), CC-BY-NC 4.0

Same genus Forcipiger

More from the family Chaetodontidae

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