Prognathodes aculeatus

Prognathodes aculeatus, commonly known as the Longsnout butterflyfish, is one of the smallest butterflyfishes. Their colour ranges from white on the belly via orangish to dark brown on the dorsal fin. The anal and pelvic fins are yellowish and through the eye and at the caudal fin base they've a vertical orange stripe.

These fish are peaceful, sometimes even shy, to most other fish, but might haress similar looking fish. They live solitary or in pairs on deep coral-rich reefs or drop-offs. In an aquarium they can best be kept alone unless a proven pair can be found. They're omnivores feeding mainly on small invertebrates, tube feet of sea urchins adn tubeworm tentacles. They're one of the most reef safe butterflyfish but besides the tubeworms and sea urchins, they can also nip on corals from time to time. Usually they should pose no real problems in a healthy growing reef tank. Make sure to offer them a varied diet of meaty and algae based foods and these fish will thrive in your tank!