Common name: Blacknosed butterflyfish

General information

The Blacknose Butterflyfish, scientifically known as Johnrandallia nigrirostris, is a vibrant and distinctive species found in the tropical western Atlantic Ocean. This species is easily recognized by its elongated snout and the prominent black spot on its nose, from which it derives its common name. The body is primarily yellow with dark vertical bands, and a black band through the eye that helps to camouflage the eye and confuse predators.

Care

Blacknose Butterflyfish are moderately challenging to keep in home aquariums due to their specialized dietary requirements. They thrive in well-established tanks with plenty of live rock for grazing and hiding. These fish are not coral-safe as they tend to nip at soft and stony corals, as well as some invertebrates. A varied diet of meaty foods, including marine fish, crustacean flesh, and mysis shrimp, is essential for their health.

Reproduction

In the wild, Johnrandallia nigrirostris forms monogamous pairs during the breeding season. They are pelagic spawners, releasing their eggs and sperm into the water column where fertilization occurs. The larvae are planktonic, drifting with the currents until they develop into juveniles and settle onto the reef.

Habitat

The Blacknose Butterflyfish is commonly found in coral reefs, rocky outcrops, and seagrass beds at depths ranging from 2 to 30 meters. They are endemic to the tropical western Atlantic, including the Gulf of Mexico, the Caribbean Sea, and the northern coast of South America.