Prognathodes aculeatus

Scientific name

The longsnout butterflyfish was first described in 1860 by Felipe Poey y Aloy and Albert C. L. G. Günther in two separate reports. Between them the fish was given three separate scientific names each one in a different genus, though Poey's assignment of the species to Prognathodes is the only valid combination.

Description

An average of 2 to(-) long, the longsnout butterflyfish is commonly known for its namesake long snout that is much more distinctive than those of similar species. They also have a dusky to yellow colored stripe that runs almost vertically from the top of the head to the eyes (unlike the stripes on other butterflyfishes which extend past the eyes).

The upper half of the longsnout butterflyfish is yellow that changes to orange and again darkens to brownish-orange. The dorsal fin of the fish is usually black.

Habitat and range

Fairly common throughout its range, the longsnout butterflyfish is found on natural and artificial reefs, usually 30 to(-) in depth. It can be found off Florida, in the Gulf of Mexico, in the Caribbean Sea, and off the coast of Venezuela.

Behavior

Longsnout butterflyfish are much more solitary than many other members of their family. Unlike many other members of its family, the longsnout butterflyfish does not pick parasites from other fish.

References

References

1. (2010). "''Prognathodes aculeatus''".
2. {{FishBase. (2021)
3. (1860). "Species Prognathodes aculeatus Poey 1860". FishWisePro.
4. Günther, A. 1860 (13 Oct.) Catalogue of the fishes in the British Museum. Catalogue of the acanthopterygian fishes in the collection of the British Museum. Squamipinnes, Cirrhitidae, Triglidae, Trachinidae, Sciaenidae, Polynemidae, Sphyraenidae, Trichiuridae, Scombridae, Carangidae, Xiphiidae. British Mus., London. v. 2: i-xxi + 1-548
5. Poey, F. 1858-61 Memorias sobra la historia natural de la Isla de Cuba, acompañadas de sumarios Latinos y extractos en Francés. Tomo 2. La Habana. [Sections have subtitles.]. v. 2: 1-96 (1858), 97–336 (1860), 337-442, (1861), Pls. 1-19.
6. It was again described in 1880 by [[Henri Émile Sauvage. Sauvage]] who gave it yet another scientific name that has since been [[synonym (taxonomy)
7. Humann, Paul and Ned Deloach, Reef Fish Identification Florida Caribbean Bahamas New World Publications Inc., Jacksonville, Fl; pp. 32–33
8. They also inhabit deeper reefs and spend much of their time [[foraging]] in recesses for [[invertebrate]]s. It is also known to eat the [[tube feet]] of [[sea urchin]]s and [[Tube worm (body plan)|tube worm]] [[tentacles]].Lieske, E. and R. Myers, 1994. Collins Pocket Guide. Coral reef fishes. Indo-Pacific & Caribbean including the Red Sea. Harper Collins Publishers, 400 p.
9. Böhlke, J.E. and C.C.G. Chaplin, 1993. Fishes of the Bahamas and adjacent tropical waters. 2nd edition. University of Texas Press, Austin.