Forceps Fish, Forcipiger flavissimus Jordan & McGregor 1898

Other Names: Forcepsfish, Long-nose Butterflyfish, Longnosed Butterflyfish, Long-nosed Butterflyfish

Summary:

A yellow long-snouted butterflyfish with yellow fins, a black upper head, a silvery-white lower head and chest, a black spot on the rear of the anal fin. The eye is equidistant between the snout tip and the pectoral-fin base.

Cite this page as:

Bray, D.J. 2020, Forcipiger flavissimus in Fishes of Australia, accessed 27 May 2026, https://fishesofaustralia.net.au/home/species/2410

Quick Facts

CAAB Code:37365068

Conservation:IUCN Least Concern

Depth:2-145 m

Fishing:Aquarium fish

Habitat:Reef associated

Max Size:22 cm TL

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Species Maps

CAAB distribution map

Distribution	Shark Bay to North West Cape and offshore reefs of north Western Australia, and the far northern Great Barrier reef and reefs in the Coral Sea, to Sydney, with juveniles south to Jervis Bay and Montague Island, New South Wales. Elsewhere the species is widespread in the tropical, Indo-Pacific. Found in habitats ranging from outer reef flats and reef crests, deep drop-offs, caves and ledges, usually in areas with rich invertebrate growth.
Features	Dorsal fin XII, 22-24; anal fin III, 17-18; Pectoral fin 14-15; Lateral-line scales 74-80. Body depth 1.9-2.4% SL; snout length 1.6-1.8 in HL.
Feeding	It feeds on a wide variety of invertebrates including corals, hydroids, small crustaceans, echinoderms (tube feet, pedicilaria) and polychaete tentacles; also consumes fish eggs.
Biology	Forms monogamous pairs.
Similar Species	The similar Longnose Butterflyfish, Forcipiger longirostris, differs in having a longer snout with the eye much closer to the pectoral-fin base than the tip of the snout, and usually rows of small black dots on the chest.
Etymology	The specific name flavissimus is from the Latin flavum (= yellow) and -issimus (= the most) in reference to the bright yellow colour on the body of this species.
Species Citation	Forcipiger flavissimus Jordan & McGregor in Jordan & Evermann 1898, Bulletin of the United States National Museum 47(2): 671. Type locality: Clarion Island, Revillagigedo Islands, Mexico.
Author	Bray, D.J. 2020
Resources	Atlas of Living Australia Australian Faunal Directory Catalog of Fishes

Forceps Fish, Forcipiger flavissimus Jordan & McGregor 1898