Forcep Butterfly...

[brewerbob]

Looking thru a library book, I came across the Forcep Butterfly. Sorry I don't have the latin name with me.

Is this a good fish for a invert/coral/other small 65 gallon tank? I have 5 damsels, 2 false clowns, a banded coral shrimp and a bunch of hermits and 6 tubo snails.

The LFS said they were a difficult fish to get feeding and happy. He said he has never ordered one but would give it a try if I wanted to. Am I going to end up killing it?

And what can everyone/anyone tell me about the LongNose Hawkfish (Oxycirrhites typus)?

 

[Anonymous]

Is this the guy you were looking at?
http://www.marinedepotlive.com/384354.html

There are 2 species, the Big Longnose (F. longirostris) (sp?) supposedly is somewhat more reef safe. Both are supposedly hardy. This is just my reading, I never owned one. My LFS carries them frequently, though.

I think a 65 would be too small for these guys.

 

[Anonymous]

They are indeed one of the easier species to keep, as are the Longnose hawks. Be careful with the Longnose in particular, I have known many to commit a fishy suicide, thusly becoming that crispy critter behind your tank.

Forcipiger longirostrus is, according to Bob Fenner's "The Conscientious Marine Aquarist", one of the best from Hawai'i. Check the snout for damage, and be mindful of their need for smaller food particles. Be sure to q/t all new fish, 30 days minimum.

 

[brewerbob]

I believe it is the same fish but since it was called something else in the book I didn't want to commit to a name.

My LFS hasn't steered me wrong yet. And he does all of the Q/T. I want to say he does 4 weeks but it may be longer.

I already have small pellet fod since my damsels (and everyone since) has been small.

What do you mean by fishy suicide? Maybe that is what the LFS meant with the buterfly. He said they are fine if you can get them to eat. He said the hawk wasn't a problem at all.

I want someone yellow and cool in my tank. Either the butterfly or a cowfish. What other small yellow reef safe fish are there?

 

[Anonymous]

She meant it could jump out.
Small reef-safe yellow fish? Midas blenny is super cool- could possibly get nippy, depends on individual. Yellow assessor can be nice...

Cowfish and most butterflies not reef-safe.

 

[brewerbob]

LFS said the same thing but also said it depended on the fish. Every reef tank he has has butteryflies.

What is an assessor? I don't like the blenny's body style (long and narrow with floppy fins). The hawk looks like a solid fish even though he's kind of long and narrow.

So, how do you enroll your fish in obedience school?

 

[Anonymous]

Do you know what kind of butterflies he has in the reefs? The reefsafe ones I know are:

copperband (eats aiptasia but might also eat other polyps sometimes)
long nose
and pyramidalis (or something- never saw it but listed by scott michaels are safe)

Assessor is a little basslet- doesn't always look its best at the LFS.

 

[brewerbob]

Do you know what kind of butterflies he has in the reefs?

Um, big?

He has a copper but I don't know what the rest are.

 

[brewerbob]

Do you know what kind of butterflies he has in the reefs?

Um, big?

He has a copper but I don't know what the rest are.

 

[Will C1]

i have a lemmon peel angel. he is quite yellow and very cool. he hand feeds. not all of them are reef safe but i would chance this one before i chanced a butterfly or a cowfish.

 

[brewerbob]

Yes, I like those too. He was already one my list of possibles. Angels and butterflies are iffy according to the LFS (if I'm remembering the right fish names).

The clowns are orange but the flame angel is cool too.

 

[Anonymous]

longnose

If we're talking about the longnose then as far as I can tell we're talking about Forcipiger longirostrus (big longnose) OR F. flavissimus. Find us a pic and we can tell you for sure. If you can't I.D. the fish reliably, then in my opinion you shouldn't be considering it.

 

[brewerbob]

If you can't I.D. the fish reliably, then in my opinion you shouldn't be considering it.

Well, you are just no fun. :wink: That would rule out everything that isn't in the display case at the grocery store. 8O

I don't know my fishes yet but according to Aquarium Fish by Dick Mills (a libraby book) it is a Forcepsfish. Which is exactly what you said (Forcipiger longirostrus). I didn't have the book at work. I still "shop" for fish by "Hey, he looks cool. What is he?"

So, according to the book, he gets to be 10" which is too big for my tank. My LFS will do trade-ins and credit. But after how ever many years it takes for him to grow from 1" to 10" I'll be attached to him and not want to trade him.

 

[Anonymous]

Ok. Insert Great Big RAZZZPBERRY HERE!

Ha! Lookit him calling ME no fun! :lol:

If only he knew... 8)

 

[brewerbob]

If I only knew what? Are you one of those people who suck (i.e your tank is bigger than my living room)?

There are all kinds of fish in these books that I'd love to have but they are too big, non reef safe, eat little fish, etc. But that doesn't stop me from window shopping.

 

[Anonymous]

You want a spanking, don't you Bob? I HAVE no tanks. Unless you count the coral lab, but that's not exactly mine.

I meant what I said, and take your mind out of the fishtank!

 

[brewerbob]

Ou, la la, mon Cheri!! 8O

Well, since I'm new around here, what do you do? What is a coral lab? Incubator for retail? Reef research?

 

[jcalheiroslobo]

Do you have any ideia if they eat aiptasia like the Copperband?

 

[brewerbob]

If you are asking me, I haven't a clue.

 

[Anonymous]

I don't think they do....