Longnose butterflyfish size: how big does it get?

Adults reach about 15 cm. The largest on record measured 22 cm (total length). Record sizes among the 51 Chaetodontidae species on LumaReef: 12 cm (Spotted Butterflyfish) to 30 cm (Saddle Butterflyfish).

Longnose butterflyfish tank size: what is the minimum?

A tank at least 180 cm long. In LumaReef that is the Living room tank or larger.

Longnose butterflyfish water parameters: what does it need?

Temperature 23–27 °C, pH 7.8–8.5. Close to what most Chaetodontidae on LumaReef need (23–27 °C).

Longnose butterflyfish tank mates: what can it live with?

It gets along with 89 of the 99 reef species in the catalogue, such as Copperband butterflyfish, Kole tang, and Pyramid butterflyfish.

Longnose butterflyfish depth: how deep does it live?

In the wild, 0 to 145 m down. Deeper than most Chaetodontidae on LumaReef (1–40 m).

ReefIn the market550 coinsUncommon

Longnose butterflyfish

Forcipiger flavissimus

It drifts slowly, poking its long tweezer snout into every crevice.

The Longnose butterflyfish (Forcipiger flavissimus) is a tropical marine fish of the family Chaetodontidae. It lives on and around reefs, between 0 and 145 m deep. Adults grow to about 15 cm; the largest on record measured 22 cm (total length). In the aquarium it needs a tank at least 180 cm long and water at 23–27 °C.

Size: 15 cm
Smallest tank: 180 cm
Temperature: 23–27 °C
Care: Moderate

In the aquarium

Temperature23–27 °C

pH7.8–8.5

Temperament: Peaceful
Diet: Carnivore
Activity: Calm
Water layer: Mid water
Group: Lives on its own
Coral: Nips corals

These values are compiled from real species data, and the LumaReef simulation is built to keep them true to life.

Which tank it fits

Nano60 cm · 65 litresToo small
Standard90 cm · 180 litresToo small
Wide120 cm · 300 litresToo small
Living room180 cm · 650 litres29 of them
Showcase250 cm · 1,200 litres54 of them
Gallery300 cm · 1,440 litres65 of them

Who it lives with

Gets along89 species

and 65 more species

Caution1 species

Narrow shared temperature range

Lined seahorse

Not together9 species

Aggressive with peaceful

In the wild

Water type: Marine
Climate zone: Tropical
Habitat: Coral and rocky reefs
Largest on record: 22 cmtotal length
Aquarium trade: Traded commercially

Depth

surface

0 m145 m

Conservation status

Classification

OrderAcanthuriformes
FamilyChaetodontidae
GenusForcipiger
SpeciesForcipiger flavissimus
Described byJordan, 1898

In other languages

English: Forceps Butterflyfish
German: Gelber Masken-Pinzettfisch
Spanish: mariposa hocicona
French: Poisson-pincette jaune
Italian: Pesce pinzetta comune
Russian: Жёлтая длиннорылая рыба-бабочка
Japanese: フエヤッコダイ
Chinese: 黃鑷口魚

Quick answers

Longnose butterflyfish size: how big does it get?: Adults reach about 15 cm. The largest on record measured 22 cm (total length). Record sizes among the 51 Chaetodontidae species on LumaReef: 12 cm (Spotted Butterflyfish) to 30 cm (Saddle Butterflyfish).
Longnose butterflyfish tank size: what is the minimum?: A tank at least 180 cm long. In LumaReef that is the Living room tank or larger.
Longnose butterflyfish water parameters: what does it need?: Temperature 23–27 °C, pH 7.8–8.5. Close to what most Chaetodontidae on LumaReef need (23–27 °C).
Longnose butterflyfish tank mates: what can it live with?: It gets along with 89 of the 99 reef species in the catalogue, such as Copperband butterflyfish, Kole tang, and Pyramid butterflyfish.
Longnose butterflyfish: alone or in a group?: It can be kept on its own.
Longnose butterflyfish and corals: is it reef safe?: No, it may nip at corals.
Longnose butterflyfish depth: how deep does it live?: In the wild, 0 to 145 m down. Deeper than most Chaetodontidae on LumaReef (1–40 m).