Home · Chaetodontidae · Big longnose butterflyfish
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
0.0–200.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Small groups
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Flat / disc-shaped
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Not eaten

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.

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.

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.

Is the Big longnose butterflyfish edible?

The Big longnose butterflyfish is not usually eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Langsnuit-koraalvlindervis sourced
English name
Big longnose butterflyfish verified
Scientific name
Forcipiger longirostris
Family
Chaetodontidae
Other names
Big longnose butterflyfish; Big longnosed butterflyfish; Big long-nosed butterflyfish verified

Appearance

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

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Stone or rock sourced
Min depth (m)
0.0 verified
Max depth (m)
200.0 verified
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore sourced
Social behaviour
Small groups inferred
Territorial
No inferred
Activity
Diurnal inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred

For anglers

Edibility
Not eaten sourced
Fishing method
Vissen met natuurlijk aas (vis, garnaal, worm) of kunstaas dicht bij rif- en rotsstructuren. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless 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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