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Fish Guide |  |
Family: Chaetodontidae (Butterflyfishes)
Natural Range: Pacific Ocean
Depth: 7 to 476 ft. Size: 8.5 in. Jumps: No Space: 75+ gal.
Reef Safe: No Care Level: Moderate Temperament: Peaceful
Diet: Polychaetes, urchin tube feet, copepods, amphipods, shrimp, fish eggs, soft and hard coral polyps
Natural History: The Yellow Longnose Butterflyfish is found individually or in twos or threes on lagoons reef faces and dropoffs. It can often be found in recesses and caves, upside down, picking prey off of the surrounding rocks. It uses its mouth to pick pieces off of sessile invertebrates such as bristleworm tentacles.
Husbandry: The Yellow Longnose Butterflyfish is considered hardy and will generally feed early in acclimation. It may be aggressive toward other Longnose Butterflyfish and, if added first, will usually defend itself against other moderately aggressive tankmate species. It will use its long dorsal spines to protect itself. It is reported that this species will pick at polyps of stony corals, so caution is advised before placing it in a reef tank. It is reported that some individuals will tear up Aiptasia.
AKA: Forceps Fish