Forcipiger flavissimus Jordan & McGregor in Jordan & Evermann, 1898
Forcepsfish, Longnose butterflyfish
Body a strongly compressed oval disc, greatest body depth 1.9-2.4 in SL; mouth small, with a distinct gape (hence forceps-like), at end of a long, slender snout that is ~ 50-60% of head depth; teeth long and slender; dorsal fin with XII spines, deeply notched between the spines, 22-24; anal rays III, 17-18; tail edge straight to rounded; lateral line complete, with 74-80 scales; scales rough, covering dorsal and anal fins as well as head and body.
Bright yellow; upper half of head and nape black, white below; a black spot on anal fin just below base of caudal fin.
Size: to 22 cm.
Inhabits rock and coral reefs; feeds on hydroids, small crustaceans, tubed feet of echinoderms, pedicillaria of sea urchins, and polychaete tentacles.
Depth: 1-145 m.
East Africa to the America; the SW Gulf of California; the Revillagigedos, Galapagos, Clipperton and Malpelo.
