Yellow
longnose butterflyfish or
Forcipiger
flavissimus
belong
to the
family
Chaetodontidae. This family is comprised
of 120
species in 10 genera and encompasses all butteflyfish as well as
bannerfish and
coralfish. This species habitat extends from the Red Sea throughout the
Indo-Pacific and
east to the Hawaiian
Islands. They
are not as common to Hawaii
but a significant populace exists near the island of Maui.
This fish has one of the longest names in the Hawaiian language: La-u
wi-li-wi-li nu-ku-nu-ku 'o-i 'o-i. The translation breaks down to;
(lau) leaf, wili-wili
(tree), (nu-ku nu-ku) nose,
('oi-'oi)
long sharp.
The
name itself, longnose butterflyfish implies a fish of unique
proportions. And
thus is the case.
From
the tip of its
long snout to the base of it caudal fin, this fish’s body and
fin structure
forms the general shape of a triangle. Their dorsal fins are split into
a
series of feather like projections that look very much like a Mohawk.
This fish
is bright yellow in color with a white triangle from its snout to the
bottom of
its head and a silver triangle from its eyes to the top of its head.
There is a
white patch directly below the pectoral fins. The color palette is
further
accent in black. They have markings around their eyes and just behind
the
silver triangle with a black “false eye” at the top
of their anal fin. Their
caudal fins are typically transparent.
These
fish have moderate care levels and benign attitudes. They make an
excellent
choice for amateur to moderately experienced aquarists. These
exotic beauties are a longtime favorite
among saltwater aquarium owners. They will mix well with other peace
loving
fish in a multi-species environment. In nature they are most often
found in
pairs. Longnose
pairs will vigorously
defend their territories in the confines of an aquarium. This species
is not
well suited for marine reef set ups.
They
will grow to an adult length
of as
long as 9 inches. An aquarium with a minimum 75 gallon capacity is
recommended.
You
should also provide them with plenty
of hiding places as well as wide open areas to swim in. These fish have
an
amusing habit of swimming upside down near the surface of the water
when they
are comfortable with their surroundings.
This
is a carnivorous, foraging species. In nature they use their elongated
snouts
to poke down in the nooks and crannies of rocks and reef formations in
search
of small invertebrates. Their diet
consists largely of tubeworms including; feather dusters, fan, coco,
and spaghetti worms.
In
an
aquarium setting you will want to provide them with an abundance of
living rock
for snack food in between meals. They
have been known to nibble on coral and
urchins
in the absence of an
adequate
food supply. A well fed longnose will generally leave them alone.
This
species may demonstrate a reluctance to eat when first introduced to an
aquarium. Should this prove the case, try tempting them with mysis or
brine
shrimp. Tubiflex
and bloodworms may also
entice them to begin feeding. A
good
trick to get them to accept non-living food items is by wedging it into
the
cracks and crevices of rocks for them to forage. Once they have been
properly
acclimated to life
in captivity they will readily accept most food
preparations
formulated for carnivorous marine species. To maintain body weight and
overall
fit and vigor you will want to feed your longnose two to three times a
day.
