Longnose butterflyfish

Photo: Jane Kempler & Andrew Goldby Freelance · CC BY-NC-ND

Longnose butterflyfish are specialists in extracting small invertebrates from narrow coral crevices, using their elongated snout like a pair of forceps. They are monogamous and typically seen in bonded pairs moving systematically across the reef face. Their strict dietary specialism means they serve as sensitive indicators of live coral health — their abundance at Staghorn Gardens reflects the exceptional state of the coral community here.