Home · Chaetodontidae · Big long-nosed butterflyfish
Big long-nosed butterflyfish (Forcipiger flavissimus) — Chaetodontidae

Big long-nosed butterflyfish

Forcipiger flavissimus
LC · Least Concern

The Big long-nosed butterflyfish (Forcipiger flavissimus) is a saltwater fish of the family Chaetodontidae that grows up to 22 cm.

Length
22 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
0.0–145.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Small groups
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Flat / disc-shaped
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless
Range
Indo-Pacific; seaward reefs and lagoons.
Edibility
Not eaten

Want the complete picture on the Big long-nosed butterflyfish?

Get the app

Description

The longnose butterflyfish is a butterflyfish (Chaetodontidae) from the Indo-Pacific. The species grows to about 22 cm and has a bright yellow body with a black upper head and a conspicuously long, thin, tubular snout, to which the name refers. With it the fish can seize small prey in narrow crevices of the reef. It is common on exposed seaward reefs and in lagoons, solitary or in groups of up to about five fish. It feeds on small crustaceans, bristleworms and other small invertebrates. The species is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Big long-nosed butterflyfish?

The Big long-nosed butterflyfish has a flattened, disc-shaped body, is mainly yellow-gold and shows a plain pattern. Long, thin tubular snout for seizing prey from narrow reef crevices.

Where does the Big long-nosed butterflyfish live?

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

How big does the Big long-nosed butterflyfish get?

The Big long-nosed butterflyfish grows to a maximum of about 22 cm.

Is the Big long-nosed butterflyfish dangerous to humans?

No, the Big long-nosed butterflyfish is harmless to humans. None required: this species is harmless to humans.

Is the Big long-nosed butterflyfish edible?

The Big long-nosed butterflyfish is not usually eaten.

More photos

Big long-nosed butterflyfish (Forcipiger flavissimus) — Chaetodontidae — 2
iNaturalist ((c) Sara Thiebaud, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Big long-nosed butterflyfish (Forcipiger flavissimus) — Chaetodontidae — 3
Wikimedia Commons — LASZLO ILYES (laszlo-photo) from Cleveland, Ohio, USA (CC BY 2.0)
Big long-nosed butterflyfish (Forcipiger flavissimus) — Chaetodontidae — 4
Wikimedia Commons — The original uploader was Aquaimages at English Wikipedia. (CC BY-SA 2.5)
Big long-nosed butterflyfish (Forcipiger flavissimus) — Chaetodontidae — 5
Wikimedia Commons — Brian Gratwicke (CC BY 2.0)
Fin

Want the complete picture on the Big long-nosed butterflyfish?

Point your camera at the fish and Fin names the species in seconds. Free, and the Big long-nosed butterflyfish is one of 12,519 species in the app.

Get the app →

All data

Identification

English name
Big long-nosed butterflyfish verified
Scientific name
Forcipiger flavissimus
Family
Chaetodontidae
Other names
Common longnose butterflyfish; Forceps fish; Forcepsfish; Longnose butterflyfish; Long-nosed butterflyfish; Longnose butterfly fish; Long-nose butterflyfish; Longnosed butterflyfish; Long nose butterfly; Long-nosed coralfish; Long-snouted butterfly fish; Longsnouted 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)
145.0 verified
Natural range
Indo-Pacific; seaward reefs and lagoons. inferred
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore sourced
Diet (detail)
Small crustaceans, polychaetes and small invertebrates sourced
Social behaviour
Small groups inferred
Territorial
No inferred
Activity
Diurnal inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred
levensduur_max_jaar
18.0 verified
Seasonality
Present year-round in its habitat; no pronounced seasonality known. inferred
Special features
Long, thin tubular snout for seizing prey from narrow 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. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

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

Fin

Want the complete picture on the Big long-nosed butterflyfish?

Point your camera at the fish and Fin names the species in seconds. Free, and the Big long-nosed butterflyfish is one of 12,519 species in the app.

Get the app →
Is this the Big long-nosed butterflyfish? Get the app