YLN butterfly snout length

[SDguy]

Do some specimens of F. flavissimus have a little longirostris mixed in, or is the snout length simply variable within the species itself? I have two flavissimus, and one definitely has a longer snout than the other, but is also definitely not F. longirostris.

Compare some of the FB pics:

http://www.fishbase.org/Photos/ThumbnailsSummary.php?ID=5584

 

[LemonLemon]

well, the length of snout is also dependent on the size of fish. the bigger the fish, the longer the snout. that goes without saying.

but there are hybrids of flavissimus and longirostris. i've seen one and bought one before. very difficult to tell, but mainly from the lack of very faint chest spots or partial spots which indicates both parents (one lacking, one having).

and also an eye which has neither half black/white or full black (flavissimus is half black, longirostris is full black).

 

[SDguy]

well, the length of snout is also dependent on the size of fish. the bigger the fish, the longer the snout. that goes without saying.

but there are hybrids of flavissimus and longirostris. I've seen one and bought one before. very difficult to tell, but mainly from the lack of very faint chest spots or partial spots which indicates both parents (one lacking, one having).

and also an eye which has neither half black/white or full black (flavissimus is half black, longirostris is full black).

I should have clarified, I of course meant in proportion to the body

My smaller fish has a longer snout, in proportion to its body, than my larger one. Both have equal amounts of black/white eye color.

 

[LemonLemon]

maybe just a variation?

 

[smokenax]

Are these reef safe?

 

[Curious George]

Definitly following along--I have been wondering about this for the past 6 months. I thought the length of the snout was specific to the species, but it also seems to be a matter of evolution and distribution (Where the fish is collected dictating the length of the snout by way of natural selection)

 

[aquaph8]

Peter, what is the difference between flavissimus and longirostris? I was looking at the black phase on DD today and became curious. I was pretty excited to see the black phase today and then dissapointed to see it wasn't very black at all. I've seen pics of others that were almost completely black.

 

[JoshuaG]

Peter, what is the difference between flavissimus and longirostris? I was looking at the black phase on DD today and became curious. I was pretty excited to see the black phase today and then dissapointed to see it wasn't very black at all. I've seen pics of others that were almost completely black.

Ha I was the same!! I was expecting an all black fish like the videos on YouTube.

 

[aquaph8]

Ha I was the same!! I was expecting an all black fish like the videos on YouTube.

If that fish would have been all black we would of had to fight over it. LOL

 

[LemonLemon]

the black phase can vary from very light dusting of brown, to full melanistic black.

but they will almost certainly revert back to full yellow in aquariums. not sure why.

the difference between flavissimus and longirostis is that longirostris has a much longer snout, a full black eye and fine spots on it's chest.

flavissimus has an eye that is half black half silver and no spots on chest.

 

[aquaph8]

Thanks Lemon. kinda sad though cause the black ones look so cool.

 

[Monkeyfish]

Quick aside:

Will a flavissimus or a longirostis get along with a copperbanded butterfly in a 180g?

 

[JoshuaG]

Quick aside:

Will a flavissimus or a longirostis get along with a copperbanded butterfly in a 180g?

I just added one with my marginalis and for about 2 hours they had a competition to see who was boss but now they are buddies. This is a 250g tank.

 

[JoshuaG]

While we are talking about YLN, the one I got from DD is almost see thru. Is this normal for these fish? It's kinda disturbing in that you can see his spine. Here is what I am talking about.

 

[Dr Colliebreath]

the black phase can vary from very light dusting of brown, to full melanistic black.

but they will almost certainly revert back to full yellow in aquariums. not sure why.

So the $200 fish ends up looking pretty much like the $50 one? Ouch!

 

[Dr Colliebreath]

While we are talking about YLN, the one I got from DD is almost see thru. Is this normal for these fish? It's kinda disturbing in that you can see his spine. Here is what I am talking about.

I have seen a number like that and think it is just that they need to fatten up and have a good diet. You might try adding Selcon, Vitachem or something similar to its food to see if that helps. Mine wasn't that bad but it was pretty pale over the bottom half but it has added a lot of color over the past 3 weeks. Right now, it is only eating live blackworms and brine shrimp.

 

[SDguy]

So the $200 fish ends up looking pretty much like the $50 one? Ouch!

I'm still waiting to see as true regular yellow longirostis for sale, frankly, at any price