yellow longnose butterflyfish

[westernreef]

I wanted to get your opinion regarding the safety of this fish in a reef aquarium with soft, LPS and SPS.

 

[small alien]

Everything I've read suggests these are the most reef safe butterflies but there is still a risk.

 

[JamesJR]

there are two different species of yellow longnose butterflyfish by the way, Forcipiger Flavisimus and Longirostris. I think F. Flavisimus is more safe with corals but I am not 100% sure. I've never kept either species in a reef tank before.

 

[westernreef]

has anyone had one in a reef tank?

 

[Dakota Reef]

Had my first Long Nose Butterfly for over 7 years in a reef tank. He never bothered a thing other than occasionally pecking at a snail. Kept him with SPS, xenia, zoanthids, mushrooms all were fine.

After losing him a year ago I added another LNB and he's also thriving. I added him and a Chevron tang at the same time and together they killed off a fist-szed poccilipora in two days. However since then he's been a model citizen, even leaving other pocci's in the tank alone.

 

[LemonLemon]

very reef safe. to the point of almost 99% safeness.

here's one in my tank with LPS, SPS, softies and clams.

look at their mouth. too tiny to pick at anything.

longirostris is 100% safe, flavissimus is less, but also almost 100%

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nBZkmCkgQv0&feature=player_embedded

 

[westernreef]

Thank you. I think I am going to try and hope It won't go for the corals

 

[lunner]

I don't have any issues with them in a mix reef. But I don't have any featherdusters left in that tank... Could be the Long nose or angels. Very cool and hardy fish once acclimated. Go for it I say.

 

[suta4242]

Lemon Lemon, those butterflys are gorgeous. A quick question: how big are they? Just that they seem small in comparison to your hand.

For the OP, I had F. flavissimus for 7 years and had no coral related problems. They're also a hardy fish if kept with the right tankmates.

good luck!

 

[snorvich]

very reef safe. to the point of almost 99% safeness.

here's one in my tank with LPS, SPS, softies and clams.

look at their mouth. too tiny to pick at anything.

longirostris is 100% safe, flavissimus is less, but also almost 100%

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nBZkmCkgQv0&feature=player_embedded

Nice video (we have many of the same fish). What exactly are you feeding them from your hand? :beer:

 

[schoolisbad1]

I had one which didn't touch a thing, the second once instantly picked croals and seemed to be wanting to eat the polyps/destroy my sps. I took him back that that day. I would try one again, just keep your eyes on it.

 

[LemonLemon]

Nice video (we have many of the same fish). What exactly are you feeding them from your hand? :beer:

haha. mysis!

 

[blennielove]

very reef safe. to the point of almost 99% safeness.

here's one in my tank with LPS, SPS, softies and clams.

look at their mouth. too tiny to pick at anything.

longirostris is 100% safe, flavissimus is less, but also almost 100%

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nBZkmCkgQv0&feature=player_embedded

LemonLemon,
Your video of your beautiful tank is exactly what I've been stiving for!
I love the lighting you have in it - reminds me of snorkeling in Maldives!
What type of lighting do you use and how big is your tank?

 

[Western_reefer]

What size tank do the Yellow Longnose Butterfly fish require?

 

[LemonLemon]

LemonLemon,
Your video of your beautiful tank is exactly what I've been stiving for!
I love the lighting you have in it - reminds me of snorkeling in Maldives!
What type of lighting do you use and how big is your tank?

thanks!

well i'm using 12k metal halides.


250W X2.

here's the latest video. my butterflies are inside.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bKO-lRjIz7g

but the tank now has alot more corals and SPS i'll make another video at the end of this week and update you if you like.

almost added a mitratus butterfly but i was not fast enough! someone else bought it first

 

[gofor100]

Had a YLN in my reef as well... the only thing it picked on was small featherdusters and the tube feet of my sandsifting star (no irreparable damage though to the starfish). Had mainly LPS and softies at that time, and only a couple SPS.

Great fish with great personalities... at feeding time, mine would come to the surface of the tank and squirt water at me from time to time... pretty funny.

 

[blennielove]

LemonLemon,
I just had a chance to look at your tank build thread! Very very very impressive!
Your tank is truly AWESOME!
I'm sure that we would all LOVE an update!!!

 

[Western_reefer]

Are yellow longnose butterflyfish safe with coco worms?

 

[bjolly]

don't know about coco worms but I had one in a reef for 2-3 years and it was my favorite fish. It didn't bother anything, and after it died I found out it had been keeping my tank aiptasia free.

 

[forddna]

Are they as difficult to get acclimated as Copperbands?